24 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
That the comptroller be authorized to subscribe, on behalf of the 
state, to the stock of said school. 
Albany, Feb. Isl, 1837. 
Whereupon it was unanimously 
Resolved That this convention concur in the sentiments set forth 
in said petition, and that it cordially unite in the prayer of the peti¬ 
tioners. 
Mr. Mather, of the State Geological corps, read the following re¬ 
port : 
The Agricultural Convention having requested a statement of 
some of the advantages which may probably result to the agricultu¬ 
ral, and other interests, from the geological survey of the state now 
in progress, I will proceed to sketch a slight outline. 
When we look around upon the surface of our country, we are 
apt to conclude that the materials forming it, are arranged without 
any regularity or order; but it is not so. The laborious investiga¬ 
tions of the geologist and mineralogist have demonstrated, that there 
is a regular order in which these aggregate masses of strata called for. 
motions , are super-imposed upon each other, and this order is never 
inverted.' 
Another fact of equal importance is, that certain mineral substan¬ 
ces are most constantly associated with each other, and also, that 
they are found in particular kinds of rocks. 
The geologist, guided by these facts, in traversing any district of 
country, knows what mineral substances and rocks will probably be 
found. He is thus guided in his search for coal, valuable ores, salt, 
gypsum, limestone, for marbles, for lime and hydraulic cement, and 
all the various minerals and rocks which can be applied to useful 
purposes. 
Geology thus serves to point out the geographical positions in 
which particular minerals may be expected, and geological investi¬ 
gations serve to trace out the particular localities, so that the public 
may reap the benefit. 
The geologic 1 survey now in progress, has made such develop¬ 
ments of our rich and varied mineral resources, as will serve to in¬ 
troduce various new branches of industry, afford new fields for pro¬ 
fitable employment and investment of capital, and add a new impulse 
to the rapidly growing prosperity of the state. 
Another important object of the survey will be to undeceive the 
public mind in relation to the numerous fruitless researches for coal, 
silver, gold, tin, lead, &c. which are so often sought in the bowels of 
the earth where there is not even a probability that they will be 
found. Hundreds of our fellow-citizens have been duped by the in¬ 
terested motives of a class of ignorant men, who pretend by mineral 
rods, and other means, to have the power of discovering valuable 
metals. In these persons, some of our citizens have placed such im¬ 
plicit confidence, that their whole estates have been expended ere 
they have repented of their credulity. The mining mania along the 
Hudson is for finding coal, and it has very frequently been announc¬ 
ed, that valuable beds had been discovered. In some instances 
companies have been formed, and explorations made, but every in¬ 
stance which has come under my observation was fruitless, and any 
well informed or practical geologist would have said at once, on see¬ 
ing the place, that there was no indications sufflcientto justify the ex¬ 
penditure of even a single dollar. 
It is believed that in the valley of the Hudson alone, enough had 
been expended in fruitless mining enterprises to defray the whole 
expense of the geological survey. 
The landholder and farmer are perhaps more interested in the in¬ 
vestigations of geology than any other classes of the community, and 
it is a matter of great importance to them to estimate correctly, not 
only the agricultural value, but the mineral wealth of their lands. 
The farmer, perhaps, may suppose, that geological investigation 
and science have little to do with agriculture : if so, he is in error. 
The examination of soils, (which, except the wash from hills, rivers, 
&c. result from the decomposition of the subjacent materials,') is one 
of the most important of ail the economical applications of geology. 
The applications of geological science have not unfrequently con¬ 
verted barien wastes and stagnant marshes into fruitful fields. Ex¬ 
amples have been so numerous that it is deemed unnecessary to men¬ 
tion any in this brief sketch. 
In regard to the economical application of geology to the agricul¬ 
tural interests of the first Geological District, I must beg leave to 
refer to the “ Geological Report,” which will be published under the 
authority of the Legislature, as it would be improper for me to men¬ 
tion them before its appearance. In that report, this and other sub¬ 
jects connected with agriculture are discussed more extensively than 
is practicable, while preparing this hasty article: numerous sugges¬ 
tions have been made in regard to improved methods of cultivation, 
and new manures, and varied application of those now in use have 
been recommended. 
Although our soils now yield millions to our farmers, yet, they are 
capable of much higher cultivation ; and our deposites of ores, salt, 
gypsum, limestones, marbles, granites, peat, marl, &c. productive as 
they already are, have scarcely begun to yield their rich and pro¬ 
ductive harvests. Comparatively few of their localities have yet 
been brought to the view of the public eye. 
A knowledge of some of the applications of geology are of the high¬ 
est importance to the engineer in the construction and location of 
public works, such as roads, bridges, aqueducts, canals, rail-roads, 
public edifices, fortifications, breakwaters, &c. 
The applications of geology are of so great economical importance 
to every class of our citizens, that it is not only hoped that such a 
knowledge of this subject as will be practically useful may be generally 
diffused through the community, by means of our schools, academies, 
and colleges; but that a department will be created in the proposed 
agricultural college or school, in which the applications of chemistry, 
mineralogy, geology, &c. to agriculture, minmg, metallurgy, arid the 
arts, shall be thoroughly and systematically taught. 
I have mentioned metallurgy, mining and the arts in connection 
with the applications of the science, because, it is mainly owing to 
improvements made in them, that agriculture, civilization, and the 
arts have progressed to their present improved states. 
New-York has made a more liberal appropriation for the objects 
of the geological survey than any other state, and if the results be 
worth any thing to the community, they will be of infinitely more 
value than the amount expended, and it is probable that the reve¬ 
nues arising from the additional transport on our rail-roads and ca¬ 
nals, will, in a single year, more than compensate for the whole ap¬ 
propriation. 
In preparing this article I have had time only to glance, without 
much order, at a few of the many important advantages which will 
result from the geological survey; but it is confidently believed, that 
if it be carried on with that minuteness of detail, which is necessary to 
the development of our rich and varied resources, as great an impulse 
will be given to the general interests of the state, as has been, by the 
Erie canal; and New-York, in this project, as vrell as in that, will 
have the credit of having been guided by the most liberal and en¬ 
larged views of state policy, and of having set an example worthy of 
imitation by others. 
On motion of Mr. Baldwin, of Onondaga, 
Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be tendered to 
Messrs. Mather and Hall, for their report, and that a copy be re¬ 
quested for publication. 
On motion of Mr. Allen, of Erie, 
Resolved, That Green’s Straw Cutter, manufactured by J. D. 
Shuler, and exhibited in operation to the members ol this conven¬ 
tion, be recommended to the farmers of the country, as an article 
perfect of its kind, and of great economy in feeding farm stock. 
The convention then adjourned to 7 o’clock in the evening. 
7 o’clock, P. M. Feb. 4. 
On motion of Mr. Allen, of Erie, 
Resolved, That the State of New-York, powerful in resources and 
in enterprise, as she is great in territory and population, is eminent¬ 
ly qualified to excel in her agriculture, and in the wealth and intelli¬ 
gence of her husbandmen; and that it is therefore incumbent on her 
legislature, with the ample means now at their command, to call 
forth this new source of greatness, by a liberal provision for her ag¬ 
ricultural institutions. 
Upon this resolution, which was cordially and unanimously adopt¬ 
ed, very able speeches were made by Mr. Allen, Mr. Ball of Rens¬ 
selaer, Mr. Cheever of Albany, Mr. Baldwin of Onondaga, Mr. Shu¬ 
ler of Niagara, Mr. Beekman of Columbia, Mr. Richards of Wash- 
ington, Mr. Randall of Cortland, &c. 
On motion of Mr. Beekman, of Columbia, 
Resolved, That the exhibitions made to this convention, of silk 
fabrics and thread, made from the indigenous mulberry of our coun¬ 
try, affords ample evidence that the silk culture is admirably adapted 
to our soil, and climate, and that nature has bountifully supplied us, 
should foreign resources fail, with an excellent material for its prose¬ 
cution. 
On motion of Mr. Randall, of Cortland, 
