260 
ANALYSES OF SOILS. 
farther east, or in the western soils, while the lime is much greater. It was undoubtedly 
derived partly from the Primary district, and partly from the shales and limestones of Jef¬ 
ferson and St. Lawrence counties ; from the latter of which, also, the lime must have been 
derived. The primary of the district referred to embraces extensive formations of primary 
limestone, many boulders of which have been found south of Rome. The granite and 
gneiss belong to those varieties whose felspar contains potash. 
Soils of the Hudson river vallies. 
As a general rule, we have found only slight differences in the soils of the Mohawk and 
Hudson river vallies. The alluvial flats are much the same, and so is the upland soil; 
but in the last named valley the tertiary clay is more extensive, and it is not unfrequently 
accompanied with its peculiar sands. In fact, on both sides of the river, from Glen’s falls 
to Kingston on the western side, and Sandyhill to Fishkill on the eastern side, sand, with 
its clay beneath, is a strong feature in both of these long narrow belts. 
Surface soil taken from the first ridge west of Coxsackie . 
Just ploughed while in sward. 
ANALYSIS. 
Water of absorption_ 4-50 
Vegetable matter... 5-52 
Silex. 82-88 
Peroxide of iron and alumina_ 6-04 
Carbonate of lime___ 0-50 
Magnesia.... 0-25 
99-69 
The Albany clay , or, as it is in other places called , Post-tertiary clay. 
This clay, so far as it is regarded as a soil, may properly be considered in this place. 
In connexion, we must also speak of the sands which accompany it. The whole may be 
regarded as one formation. Below it is a stiff blue clay : above, by weathering, this 
becomes a drab-colored clay, terminating finally in a gray or yellowish sand. The com¬ 
position of the clay is as follows : 
Water of absorption..... 4-25 
Organic matter..... 1 * IT 
Sulphate of lime______..._ 1-00 
Silicates__________69-02 
Peroxide of iron and alumina_____17-24 
Potash ________ 0.14 
Carbonate of lime _ 4-00 
Magnesia ---- 3-00 
99-82 
