276 
ANALYSES OF SOILS. 
The influence of this rock upon vegetation is much less than that of the preceding. 
There is not only a change in the constitution of the limestone, but it is quite different in 
its texture. Magnesia is no longer an essential element, and the rock has become hard 
and little subject to disintegration. It is nearly a pure limestone, and the soils upon it are 
drier, and perhaps more friable ; but they do not retain so firmly the roots of wheat, and 
hence the crop is more liable to injury from late frosts. Many wide fissures exist in this 
rock, through which the surface water passes, and hence there is often a deficiency. 
The Onondaga limestone may be regarded as a pure calcareous rock, or as pure as 
chalk and most limestones which are employed for quicklime. 
ANALYSIS OF FIFTY PARTS. 
Hygromctric water_ 0*46 
Organic matter___ 0-50 
Silex..... 1 *87 
Alumina and protoxide of iron_ 0*09 
Phosphate of lime_ 0-03 
Carbonate of lime_ 44*50 
Carbonate of magnesia .. 2*00 
49*39 
Composition of the soils of the wheat district. 
The first analysis given below, is of a soil of the red shale near Canastota, and whicfs 
was derived mainly from it. Its composition may be compared with that of the rock from 
which it is derived. 
ANALYSIS — ONE HUNDRED GRAINS. 
Water of absorption_ 1*50 
Organic matter_ 2*50 
Silex. 85*00 
Peroxide of iron and alumina_ 8*12 
Carbonate of lime_ 2*17 
Magnesia. 0*12 
Phosphate of alumina_ 0*50 
99*91 
There is a loss of lime and magnesia in the process of disintegration. 
A practical suggestion of some importance grows out of these analyses, viz. that it 
would be profitable to spread the decomposing shales over the soils wherever they are 
accessible. The lime and magnesia might be supplied at a cheap rate. The advantage 
arising from this procedure consists in supplying lime in a finely divided state. Where 
wood is plenty, the condition of the materials would be improved by burning : a larger 
amount would become soluble by the process. 
We may now stop and consider for one moment the state and condition of the particles 
