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TACOMC DISTRICT. 
2. TACONIC DISTRICT. 
The texture of the soils of the Highland or Primary districts is coarse, and the quantity 
of finely divided matter is evidently deficient. The soils derived from the Taconic rocks 
are finer than those of the Primary, and, as will appear, have been found to contain a 
greater proportion of finely divided matter, and yet they are inferior in this respect to the 
soils of Central and Western Nevv-York, which are derived from rocks of a later date. 
The cause of the difference observed between the texture of the soils of these districts, is 
to be sought for in their origin. The first are derived from hard rocks, only a small pro¬ 
portion of which decompose rapidly; while the latter are derived from sedimentary rocks, 
more susceptible to atmospheric influence; and hence they not only disintegrate more 
rapidly, but undergo, or have undergone, a more thorough change. If there were no 
other differences in the soil than that of texture, that which contained the greatest amount 
of finely divided matter would possess an advantage over the coarse or primary soils. One 
cause of superiority consists in the power which finely divided matter possesses, in the 
facility of absorption of the floating gases of the atmosphere. Finely divided platina will 
absorb and condense hydrogen so rapidly and copiously, when blown upon it in a stream, 
as to beget a red heat, and inflame the gas instantaneously. Charcoal absorbs most kinds 
of gaseous matter. Fine soils readily absorb carbonate of ammonia from rain water ; a 
fact which has been long known with respect to the finer clays. The absorption of ammonia 
is indeed an important fact, and we have often detected it in common soils when they have 
been submitted to the action of rain water. The amount which a given soil can absorb 
and retain, is proportional to its amount of finely divided matter. The ammonia is un¬ 
doubtedly often combined with the organic acids, the crenic and apocrenic. Ammonia itself 
operates favorably on the organic matter of the soil, the rationale of which is illustrated 
every day in the laboratory, where it is employed in dissolving out the organic matters. 
Clays contain the largest proportion of this substance, undoubtedly absorbed in solution 
with water. Even anthracite coal contains a large amount, which has been stored up for 
ages, and is separated from it when water is thrown upon an ignited mass. 
There is another fact which may be noticed here, namely, that although loams and 
porous soils must receive from rains the same amount of ammonia as the finer soils, they 
have less ability for retaining it, or at least for storing it up. 
The first inquiry in regard to the soils of this district, respects their chemical constitution. 
In pursuing this subject, it has been found that though some differences exist, still they 
are not remarkably different: they appear to belong to one class, and to possess essential 
characters in common. Some of the differences observed in crops arise from elevation, or 
the combined effects of elevation and other causes connected necessarily therewith. To 
preserve order in the several statements of the analyses, we shall begin with those upon 
the eastern border of the State, adjacent to Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont. 
