298 
ANALYSES OF SOILS. 
T-wo hundred grains, being boiled in a large quantity of pure rain water, gave of 
Soluble matter. 1*310 
Matter rendered insoluble by ignition. 0*118 
Soluble silica. 0*020 
Carbonate of lime_ 0*466 
Alumina tinged with iron. 0*232 
Magnesia. 0*020 
Chlorides not determined. 
A clay, which belongs strictly to the marls, and which is found extensively in Niagara 
bounty, has the following composition : 
ANALYSIS OF ONE HUNDRED'GRAINS. 
Water and organic matter__ 3* 24 
Silicates_ 58*20 
Peroxide of iron and alumina_ 20*76 
Carbonate of lime_ 14*62 
Potash_ 0*44 
Soda and magnesia__ 2*42 
99*72 
Soluble silica_ 0*69 
Quantity of phosphates in 100 grains inappreciable. 
This marl is the product of a soft portion of the Medina sandstone. It appears to be a 
rich material. It is of an ash gray color, not very tenacious, and hence is adapted to clay 
as well as sandy lands. It may be looked for near the outcrop of the softer portions of the 
Medina sandstone. It can not fail of effecting a decided amelioration of all light soils, 
deficient in lime, alumina, and the alkalies. 
Waters of the wheat district. 
The slates and shales which cover so large a portion of the Wheat district, contain 
much soluble matter ; for this reason, the water contains also an unusual quantity of salts 
of various kinds. In some of the formations, the chlorides are far the most abundant; in 
others, the sulphates. 
Limited sections of the district are deficient in surface water, in consequence of the open 
state of the natural joints of the rocks beneath ; but as a whole, the district is well supplied 
with water : it is, however, always hard, when obtained from springs or wells. The 
rivers which rise in the sandstone districts furnish soft water, or water comparatively soft. 
As an example of the hard waters of the district, I may refer to that furnished by the 
Hydrant Company of Syracuse. This water contains 40 grains of saline matter to the 
gallon, consisting of the sulphate of lime, alumina, and the chlorides of lime, magnesium 
and sodium. It is clear and transparent, but is disliked as a beverage by strangers. 
The well waters contain generally from ten to thirty grains of saline matter. The well 
