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[Assembly 
small quantities has been found in the marl at these localities. On the 
west side of the river we find the gypseous marl in Riga, Chili and 
Wheatland J in some places approaching the surface, or appearing in the 
beds of small streams. The only place where this marl has been 
applied is in the town of Wheatland. Mr. Merry has used this and the 
shell marl J separately and mixed, and finds the results fully to realize 
his most sanguine expectations. Used on the light vegetable soil of the 
swamps in that neighborhood, this marl has produced astonishing re- 
sults. A meadow of this vegetable soil, which produced little or no- 
thing, was dressed with this marl, and sown with timothy seed, and in 
less than ten weeks from the time of sowing, three tons of hay to the 
acre were cut from the meadow. The composition of this marl is ad- 
mirably adapted to fertilize such soils, producing a mixture of calcreous, 
aluminous and vegetable matter. Without dwelling longer on particu- 
lar localities, we may observe, that this marl may be found on almost 
every farm in the southern range of towns in this county. 
The indurated marl of the marl and sandstone formation is also a good 
manure, apparently a stimulant to vegetation. The iron in the rock is 
probably the substance which acts as the stimulant, though there may 
be other ingredients which produce the same effect. I have not seen it 
used extensively upon any crop, but where thrown upon the surface 
from excavations, the natural vegetation is always much more thrifty. 
Bog ore is another material which may be applied as a manure in 
many places. I do not know that it has yet been used, except where 
a bed of it has been so near the surface, that the plough has scattered it. 
In these cases it is found that the crop is much more thrifty in that part 
of the field. This ore is so extensively distributed, that it could be ob- 
tained for manure on almost any farm north of the mountain ridge. It 
is also found in many places in the southern range of towns. 
Gypsum. — Plaster."^ 
The gypseous rocks extend across the southern part of this county, 
-occupying all that portion south of Black creek, and between it and 
Allen's creek. In one or two localities gypsum has been found south 
of Allen's creek, but the formation is soon succeeded by the carbonife- 
rous limestone. Plaster has been obtained in small quantities at Car- 
tersville, in the town of Pittsford, but the quantity was not sufficient 
for profitable working. At this place, the marl is decomposed to the 
depth of fifteen feet, and presents the appearance of a greenish gray 
clay. Marl of this character appears in several places along the canal, 
* For a description of the gypseous marls and slate, see Sec. VI. 
