HUDSON AND MOHAWK AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT. 
7 
approximating to that of the shales of the Hudson and Mohawk valleys. When, however, 
we take in the eastern formations towards the base of the Hoosic mountain range, with 
the valleys of the Hoosic and Housatonic, we find a soil and surface sufficiently distinct to 
merit the division I have proposed. The widest difference is then to the east; while at 
the west, the two districts are merged into each other. 
Plate V. gives a panoramic view of the hills of this district, as seen from the Helderberg 
range on the west. The fore-ground is occupied by the limestones of this range; the 
middle, by the Hudson river slates and shales, and the back-ground by the long range of 
slate hills belonging to the Taconic system. The valley of the Hudson lies in the middle 
ground, and is bounded by those slates. 
III. The Third district comprises the valleys of the Hudson and Mohawk. It is less 
regular in its shape than the other districts, and besides is not confined wholly to that 
territory which is usually considered as belonging to these valleys. Thus, at the com¬ 
mencement of the Southern highlands, it diverges from the river to the southwest, and 
passes through Orange county into the State of New-Jersey. Towards the northwest, it 
passes beyond the valley of the Mohawk into Jefferson county, by the route of the Black 
river. 
In its characters it is closely related to the preceding. Its slaty or shaly rocks, and sand¬ 
stone and limestone beds, furnish, when mixed, a soil much like that of the Eastern district. 
There is, however, as already remarked, more alluvial matter, broader meadows, and a 
less undulating surface. Beneath the bottoms of the Hudson and Mohawk, there reposes 
a stiff calcareous clay ; and departing a little from these rivers, and ascending their sloping 
banks, we find sandy plains, which, however, are underlaid with the same stiff’ clay, a 
marine deposit of a modern date. No part of this district rises into mountains. Steep 
bluffs are common, but rarely exceed three hundred feet in height. As an agricultural 
district, it is important; but it has been longer cultivated, and hence is more exhausted 
than either of the districts which have been named. 
The valley of the Mohawk at Amsterdam is pictorially illustrated in Plate II. The steep 
furrowed banks of clay with a scanty vegetation, are seen upon the left; the islands in 
the Mohawk covered densely with willows, and the partially wooded hills, form the back 
ground. In the foreground, the peculiar appearance of the elm so common on the banks 
of the Hudson and Mohawk, is well represented, giving to the landscape a striking 
feature. Flats and shallows are constantly recurring in the Mohawk, sometimes forming 
ripples which are always covered with water ; at other times, low islands, which support 
only willows and alders, but occasionally are sufficiently elevated to form fertile and 
beautiful meadows, adapted either to grass, maize or broomcorn. 
