18 
GEOLOGY OF THE FIRST DISTRICT. 
and spring waters of the adjacent country might be excluded, and thus they might 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 
produce 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 islands 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 summer, 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 winter would be, that only one crop of crystals could be obtained; but 
an area of sixty acres, divided into compartments of ten acres each, communicating with each 
other, so that six feet of water could be let into the first, would give for a single crop from 
25,000 to 30,000 bushels of salt. 
Localities. The principal marshes of Long Island are, Nepeague marsh; one between 
Sagg ponds and Mecock bay, east part of Shinnecock bay; between Moriches and Great 
West bay ; between Ocombamack neck and Fireplace ; Ocombamack neck and Patchogue ; 
Patchogue and Nicholas neck; and the very extensive one from Nicholas neck to Rockaway ; 
and those about Jamaica bay and Coney island. There are also man)'- on the north shore of 
Long Island, the principal of which are at Acabonnick, Oyster ponds, Riverhead, Wading 
river, Smithtown harbor. Crab meadow, Lloyd’s neck, Oysterbay harbor, between Peacock 
and Oak neck, Musquito cove, north part of Cow neck. Little-neck bay. Flushing, Williams- 
town, Brooklyn, and Cowannus. 
The salt marshes of Staten Island, though not numerous, are extensive. The principal are 
the Greatkill meadows, Freshkill marshes, and those along the west coast of the island. 
The salt marshes of Suffolk county are estimated to cover an area of fifty-five square miles ; 
of Queens county, forty; Kings, twelve ; Richmond, nine; Westchester, nine ; and New- 
York, three ; which give an aggregate of one hundred and twenty-eight square miles, or about 
82,000 acres. 
* When these marshes shall be cultivated, it is anticipated that no difficulty will be encountered 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 islands. 
The following section, obtained by Mr. Disbrow, in boring for water in the Newark meadows, will show 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 “ 
Bluish grey clay,. 36 “ 
Sand. 6 “ 
Ash-colored clay,. 20 “ 
Stiff variegated clay,. 20 “ 
Total,. 104 feet. 
(Vide Amer. Jour. Scimce, Vol. 12, p. 139.) 
