250 
ANALYSES OF SOILS. 
Alumina, silex, magnesia, lime and ammonia, are the bases most generally present. None 
of these solutions have shown an alkaline reaction. The quantity of saline matter obtained 
by this process is less than that procured from the soils of Western New-York, and it ap¬ 
pears that the fertility of the soil bears a relation to the quantity of saline matter contained 
in it. The action of the atmosphere and water continually brings more of the organic 
matter into a soluble state. 
Waters of the taconic district. 
We have likewise analyzed some of the waters of the Taconic district, which are 
usually set down as hard waters, and the results are as follows: 
Well water in Kinderhook village. 
Soluble matter in one pint_ 1 -92 
Organic or vegetable matter.... 0*92 
Saline matter.. 1-00 
1*92 
The saline matter is composed of chloride and sulphate of lime, together with the organic 
salts consisting mostly of crenate of lime. This is probably purer than the water of the 
district usually is, and it forms an excellent beverage. It was taken from the well of 
Judge Burt. 
Water from the village well of Kinderhook. 
Saline matter in one pint... 1*34 
Vegetable matter__ 1 -00 
2-34 
The springs which issue from the Taconic hills, and which have their origin mostly from 
the slate, yield comparatively pure water, which frequently contains less than five grains 
of solid matter to the gallon. The chalybeate springs are weak, and issue from those slates 
which are charged with pyrites. 
Another class of springs, though but few in number, are the nitrogen springs of Hoosic 
and New-Lebanon. The water is soft, but their temperature is above the mean of the 
place where they are found. They issue, it is supposed, from rents or lines of fracture, 
and come up from a great depth : hence their elevated temperature. These springs are 
large, but they are unlike those which issue suddenly from beneath the surface in many 
parts of the West, and which are regarded as subterranean streams that have just found 
a place for exit, after having run for miles just below the surface: these do not acquire a 
high temperature, but are usually quite cold. 
The waters, then, of the Taconic range, are merely the moderately hard waters of a 
slate and limestone district. Those which issue from clay beds contain more lime, and 
