PREFACE. 
The volume which is now submitted to the agriculturists of New-York, 
contains the results of my investigations respecting the soils of the State. 
Its execution has occupied my time for nearly four years ; and on reviewing 
my labors, I cannot but hope that something has been done, which will 
advance the interests of the farmer. 
One of the first inquiries which engaged my attention, was the classifica¬ 
tion of soils; a subject which is confessedly one of great complexity, and 
which has never been exhibited in an intelligible and useful form, and, I 
may add, is probably not destined to a result so desirable in itself. As the 
geological survey of the State had just been finished, and as the works con¬ 
taining the information respecting the rocks then known were so generally 
distributed, it was deemed proper to propose a classification of the soils, 
which should be founded upon a geological basis. Accordingly a reconnoi- 
sance of the State was made, with the view of ascertaining whether a 
classification founded upon geology would be useful. The result of this 
examination led me to hope that useful ends would be gained by a classi¬ 
fication thus founded, and I have therefore proposed one in the first pages of 
this report, which I consider applicable to the soils of this State. 
In order, however, that this plan may be increased in usefulness, I have 
given an epitome of the geology of the State, and have constructed maps 
and sections designed to aid the farmer and student in acquiring a knowledge 
of agricultural geology. It might have been desirable to increase the number 
of illustrative sections and maps; but, upon the whole, it seemed better at 
present to fall short of what would be required for a full illustration of the 
report, than to extend them too far, as might be judged by many persons 
whose opinions I should most certainly feel bound to respect. Occasional 
illustrations in lithograph have been given of the features of various parts 
[Agricultural Report.] b 
