244 
ANALYSES OF SOILS, 
This range of country is the most broken of any in the county. In the vallies the land 
is valuable, but the soil is too cold without draining. The Sparry limestone traverses this 
range north and south, but the effect on the soil is too small to be appreciated: the slate 
predominates. Besides, the productiveness is diminished by height, as well as a coarse soil. 
Peat and lime, which are abundant through the whole range, may be considered impor¬ 
tant means for ameliorating the soil. 
A remarkable substance- was brought to us from Columbia county, for examination, in 
the fall of 1845. It was supposed to be a valuable material, and the finder made a secret 
of its locality. It was, however, nothing more than vegetable matter in a fine state of 
division, and, as we found on examination, mixed with a little silex and alumina. It was 
a thick pulpy mass, some of which, as we were assured, had been thrown out of the bog 
upon a dry soil, and had remained wet the whole season ; and about half a pint remained 
two months in an open tin cup, in a warm dry atmosphere, before it became dry, at which 
time it had shrunk to the size of a butternut. We notice this substance, for the purpose of 
calling attention to the fact, that some materials, combined in certain proportions, are 
more absorbent and retentive of moisture than others. In this substance water existed in 
great excess. On analysis, it gave 
Water_ 89*75 
Vegetable matter. 3*45 
Silex. __ 3*55 
Alumina.„. 3*20 
The silex was principally composed of the cases of infusorials. 
Soil of Hoosic-corners. 
Rests on fine slate; associated with ranges of limestone. 
ANALYSIS. 
Water_ 4*25 
Organic matter_-_ 12*69 
Silex.69*78 
Carbonate of lime_ 1*76 
Magnesia_ 1*30 
Phosphate of alumina _..._ 1*15 
Peroxide of iron_ 5*55 
Alumina__ 3*42 
99*90* 
* The notes relating to this remarkably rich soil were lost, or the facts forgotten. It is, however, well known that 
the soil of Hoosic is excellent. This was probably a new and uncultivated soil. 
