10 
ATLANTIC AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT. 
direction of the ranges of mountains, hills and valleys. These ranges therefore differ 
essentially in their mode of formation from those of the Highland or Eastern sections ; 
the latter having been occasioned by an elevatory force, which has raised them up above 
the surrounding levels, while the former are due to agencies of depression and abrasion. 
We have, however, elements which assimilate the climate in each. 
In this district, also, the nature of the formations has determined the nature of the sur¬ 
face, as well as that of the soil and its productions. The limestones are discontinued as 
well as the limestone shales. This element, therefore, so essential to some crops, is not so 
abundantly furnished as in the lower rocks. Not that it is entirely absent; for most rocks, 
although they may not effervesce with acids, will furnish lime on analysis. The adapta¬ 
tions, therefore, of the Fifth or Southern district, are of a different order, and not less 
valuable than those of the Western or Eastern. The pure streams which flow from the 
siliceous rocks render the pastures green and fresh, the grass sweet and nourishing, and 
impart health and activity to the flocks and herds which tenant the glades and valleys. 
VI. The Atlantic district comprehends Long island. It is a gift from Ocean’s waves, 
or from Neptune’s hand : sands washed from the deep by waves from the broad sea break¬ 
ing upon the skirts of land, and casting up the debris of a wasted continent. It stretches 
far away in a southeast direction, in the form of an immense ridge of sand and drift; or, 
in more common language, is an alluvial formation of a very porous character. It rises 
three hundred feet above the sea. It has an indented shore ; and by constant nursing, its 
soil is productive and easily tilled. Its position makes it a mean term between the north 
and south. It is the grand rendezvous for birds of passage. Here they resort from the 
arctic regions, and find a retreat from the pinching frosts of a northern winter; and from 
the tropics, to escape a burning sun, and find protection from the heats of summer. 
The maize which is cultivated here, is intermediate between southern and northern corn, 
the length of summer permitting a larger variety than central New-York. The depressing 
agents are winds loaded with vapor. Exposed places are less productive than those which 
are sheltered. Hence, the south side, being directly exposed to the Atlantic gales, shows 
a more barren aspect and a more shrubby vegetation than the northern side of the island, 
where the slope of the land defends it from those depressing effects. 
