312 
ANALYSES OF SOILS. 
A watery solution gave organic acid in combination with lime, and also a trace of sulphate 
of lime. This analysis gives as much lime as the best of the soils above the Marcellus 
shales, except in a few cases, where, from the operation of local causes, the lime is in¬ 
creased. Such is the fact in parts of Onondaga and Cortland counties, where a drift soil 
contains a large percentage of calcareous matter, which seems to be derived from de¬ 
composing calcareous shales. 
Soil taken from Fultonham , Schoharie county , from the Hamilton group. 
ANALYSIS. 
Water of absorption. 5*00 
Organic matter. 4 • 50 
Silicates_ 82-51 
Peroxide of iron and alumina_ 8-00 
100-01 
Very little lime or magnesia appeared in this soil. A watery solution gave the former in 
combination with an organic acid. Probably, however, the silicate of lime would be 
found by the process of fusion with soda or potash. 
The soil of Schoharie flats, which must be a mixture of materials from many rocks, 
gives a better analysis than any of the preceding. 
Water of absorption. 2-00 
Vegetable matter. 6-00 
Silicates. 83-00 
Peroxide of iron and alumina. 6-50 
Carbonate of lime_ 1-00 
Magnesia. 0-50 
Phosphate of alumina_ 0-12 
Sulphate of lime. 0-14 
99-26 
The watery solution gave organic matter and sulphate of lime. This is a rich corn land. 
The soil is dark brown, and is never lumpy after being wet, but dries and becomes readily 
pulverulent. We have given the analysis in connection, as it forms a contrast with the 
poorer soils of the upper rocks of the adjacent hills. 
In the preceding analyses, it is assumed that the soils of the rocks above the Hamilton 
group do not differ essentially ; hence it is not attempted to make a distinction between 
the former and the latter. The soil of the Old Red Sandstone is red, and contains more 
iron in a state of peroxide : it forms a very excellent quick soil, and is admirably adapted 
to grazing. 
