240 
GEOLOGY OF THE FOURTH DISTRICT. 
ing change in the products of the cultivated soil. Wheat does not always prove a sure crop, 
after the field has been cultivated for some years. When first cleared, the land produces 
good crops of all the grains. In this statement, however, must not be included the valleys 
and the low northern slopes, which are deeply covered with northern drift and alluvium, 
containing a large proportion of calcareous matter. This on examination proves to be com¬ 
posed of the ruins of the limestone and calcareous shales before described, with a small ad¬ 
mixture of sand. 
This kind of soil is but sparingly spread over the higher grounds,-and in many of the highest 
places is not known.at all. In consequence of its absence, the character and productions 
of the soil of the valleys and of the hills are quite different. 
The soil derived from the lower part of the group is a stiff clay, the sand being in too 
small proportions to produce much perceptible effect. As we ascend, the arenaceous matter 
increases, and the broken fragments of the sandy strata become intermixed with the finer 
materials, giving it the character of a clayey gravel. The fragments, however, show little 
effect of attrition ; and from being flat and irregular, the soil is known locally as 11 flat gravel” 
to distinguish it from that of the valleys, where the fragments are rounded into the form of 
pebbles. 
In the valleys and on the low northern slopes of this group, the soil produces wheat with 
the same facility and equal certainty as the formations north of it. As we ascend to the south, 
the wheat crops are less abundant and less certain, and this gives place to the coarser grains 
and to pasturage. For the latter object, the soil is superior to that on the north of it, and the 
evidence is fully substantiated by the increasing number of cattle and the produce of the dairies. 
Without knowing any thing of the character of the soil or underlying rocks, the observer 
cannot fail to notice this great difference in the products and in the appearance of the farms, 
and the absence of the northern drift marks more strongly the distinction as we progress 
southward. The soil overlying all the groups as far south as the Tully limestone, whether 
it be clay, gravel or loam, presents one general character, viz. that of being highly calca¬ 
reous ; but after we leave these formations, we soon become sensible of the change ; and 
although the same external characters of soil are presented, yet from the absence of the 
calcareous ingredients, it does not produce the same vegetation naturally; and neither will 
the skill of the cultivator enable him to do so for any considerable time, unless he supplies 
the matter which is wanting. 
It will hereafter be shown in what manner these soils may be benefited by the application 
of certain manures, with the means and places of obtaining them. It is, however, very ques¬ 
tionable whether any improvements rendering these soils capable of producing permanently 
good crops of wheat, will render them more profitable, or enable such farms to compete 
successfully with well stocked farms. 
At present the occupants of farms of the southern tier of counties have many difficulties to 
contend with ; the land in the first place is heavily timbered, and when this is overcome, it 
is found difficult to procure good stock. In many instances, and perhaps the greater number, 
the farmer has not the means of clearing and stocking his farm at the outset, so that he is 
