124 
f Assembly 
vion washed down by streams; the fine materials swept from the head- 
lands and carried into the bays and re-enterings of the coast by the flood 
tide where they are deposited; the fine earthy matters, formed by the 
surf grinding the pebbles on the coast, being transported by the tidal 
currents into the bays and marshes and deposited there; the growth and 
decay of multitudes of marine animals; the accumulations of marine 
plants, drifted sea weeds, and other refuse of the ocean; and clouds of 
drifting sand ; all of which concur to shoal the water more or less rapid- 
ly in situations where it is protected seaward by beaches and islands. 
These marshes are valuable on account of the salt grass, of which they 
yield an abundant crop. This grass is usually cut and cured in October. 
Many of these marshes are so located that, with a trifling expense, the 
tide, surface, and spring waters of the adjacent country, might be exclu- 
ded, and they thus be rendered capable of tillage, like those of Holland. 
The soil is very rich; in fact, it is composed mostly of organic matter, 
mixed with some lime and saline substances, and can be made to pro- 
duce valuable crops. It is scarcely possible that another generation will 
pass away, before the suggested improvement will be made on some of 
these rich alluvions. The value of land on Long and Staten Island will 
not always allow these marshes to be as unproductive as they are at 
present.* Many of them might also be employed to advantage in the 
manufacture of salt from sea water, both by solar evaporation in sum- 
mer, and by allowing it to freeze during winter. It is well known 
that it is the fresh water only which freezes, thus rendering the brine 
much stronger, and that it can be so concentrated until the salt separates 
in a crystallized state. 
The disadvantage in wmter would be, that only one crop of crystals 
could be obtained; but an area of 60 acres, divided into compartments 
of 10 acres each, communicating with each other, so that 6 feet of wa- 
ter could be let into the first, would give for a single crop from 25,000 
to 30,000 bushels of salt. 
* When these marshes shall be cultivated, it is anticipated that no difficulty will be encoun- 
tered in procuring good fresh water, both for men and animals. The geological formations in 
the vicinity of Newark are similar to those of Staten and Long Island. The following section, 
obtained by Mr. Disbrow, in boring for water in the Newark meadows, will shew the strata 
passed through; and from the bottom an abundant supply was obtained, which arose to within 
three feet of the surface. 
Marsh mud and roots, . . 10 feet. 
Quicksand, 12 " 
Blueish grey clay, 36 «' 
Sand, 6 " 
Ash colored clay, 20 " 
Stiff variegated clay, 20 " 
104 " 
[Vide Amer. Jour. Science, vol. XII. p. 139.] 
