82 
GEOLOGY. 
of sand, consisting of angular grains of quartz, much yellow mica, fragments of a dark colored 
rock, occasional grains of feldspar and a notable quantity of magnetic iron. The organic 
matter amounts to 3.16 per cent. The presence of the following substances was ascertained by 
qualitative analysis 
Silica. 
Alumina and oxides of iron and manganese. 
Lime. 
Magnesia, (little.) 
Soda. 
Potash, (traces.) 
Chlorine, (abundant.) 
Sulpuric acid. 
Phosphoric acid. 
The soil thus appears to have all the elements required for great fertility. Its color is a dark 
brown. The subsoil has, also, been examined, and found to he very similar to the other. It 
contains 75.5 of sand, very much like the first, except that small calcareous grains are found, 
which effervesce strongly with dilute acids. The following substances are present: 
Silica. 
Carbonate of lime, (1.09 per cent.) 
Magnesia, (a little ) 
Sulphuric acid. 
• Phosphoric acid. 
Chloride of sodium, (abundant.) 
Potash. 
In many places along the river bottom, especially on the low ground, the soil is highly 
charged with salts, which effloresce on the surface, and form white crusts, preventing the 
growth of useful grasses. A specimen of the incrustation, (No. 259,) on being subjected to 
chemical examination, was found to consist of: 
Chloride of sodium. 
Sulphate of soda. 
Carbonate of soda. 
Sulphate of magnesia, (trace.) 
On the low land, near the town and the mill, the efflorescences were partly dissolved in 
shallow pools of water, coloring them, in conjunction with the organic matter, to a rich dark 
brown, very similar to the drainings of cattle yards. Some of the incrustations appeared to 
contain nitre or nitrate of soda. The luxuriance of the crops of wheat that have been raised at 
this place have borne sufficient testimony to the richness of the soil. The straw grows so thick 
and heavy, that much of it falls down, and it is said to he frequently over seven feet long. 
Two good crops may he raised from only one sowing. The climate is delightful, and is well 
adapted to the growth and ripening ot grains and fruits. The rains commence early in Novem¬ 
ber, and continue at intervals through the winter. The surface becomes beautifully green in 
December, and the only severe season for cattle is in the fall, when the upland grasses are com¬ 
pletely dry and dead ; hut they can then resort to the hanks of the streams, which are green 
throughout the year. Wheat and barley are sown in November and December, and vegetables 
may be planted at any time through the winter. Cabbages, beets, &c., grow on continuously, 
without regard to seasons. Potatoes are planted in November, and sweet potatoes have been 
found to grow well in some of the sandy parts of the valley. The greatest amount of butter 
is made in the months of January, February, and March. 
1 See Appendix. 
