It cannot be reasonably doubted that then as now, the waters were thickly inhabited by these aquatic animals; they are known to exist in countless numbers on various coasts, and mariners have discovered by the use of their deep sea line, beds of broken shells extending for several miles; beds on which shells have accumulated and died for ages.

In the same way have the masses of shells been collected on the spaces in this country now forming the valuable MARL BEDS. They were probably first covered by the sand and clay floating in the subsiding waters; the breaking down of the adjacent banks formed additional layers of sedimentary matters and finally a vegetable deposit affording a resting place for seeds, trees, and ultimately rich meadows. This, it is believed is the most probable explanation of the formation of marl.* The most extensive marl beds in the county of Madison are on the farms of C. D. Miller, Esq., of Peterboro'; where at least four hundred acres are underlaid with a shell deposit of unascertained depth.

Under the marshes in Sullivan, 1,000 acres or more are covered with shell marl; in short nearly every pond or water basin in the county seems paved with marl. The imposing strata is generally muck, about four or five feet thick. The shells most abundant in these beds are figured below; they were taken from the deposits near Peterboro', in the town of Smithfield.

See Appendix for a different theory of marl formation.

Impressed with the importance of marl to the improved cultivation of farms, Col. Miller caused the Peterboro' marl to be analyzed; he submitted a portion to the examination of Professor Norton, agricultural chemist, of Yale College; in reply to the several inquiries, Professor Norton wrote as follows:

"You will perceive from the accompanying analysis that this earth is a marl, and I have no hesitation in pronouncing it one of excellent quality; the carbonate of lime, you will observe amounts to about eight-tenths of the whole; the very small quantity of carbonate of magnesia and the trace of phosphoric acid, adds materially to its enriching qualities, although it is present in small quantities.

"Marls are seldom richer in lime than this is, and if it abounds on your farm, you have a most valuable source of fertility, unless you are on a limestone formation and well supplied.

"The sandy matter, the iron and alumina, are of but little importance in estimating its economical value. In application to the redeemed swamp of which you speak, the marl is likely to be of especial value, as such soils do not usually abound in lime. The greatest difficulty on breaking up lands of this character, ordinarily arises from a superabundance of vegetable matter. In all swampy places this matter accumulates, because the constant pressure of stagnant water prevents a full admission of air and warmth. Under these circumstances the decomposition of vegetable substances proceeds very slowly, and various vegetable acids are formed, noxious to all our cultivated crops. When the water is drained away, and light and air are admitted, the arrested decomposition proceeds gradually and in time the noxious substances are destroyed, and brought into a state for the nourishment of plants. This always is hastened greatly by the application of lime, more particularly of quick lime; but decidedly by this form of marl also. It therefore not only supplies a want of the soil, but ameliorates its chemical condition. It would be very useful to expose the marl to a winter's frost before applying it, and then you might safely lay on large doses.""

The irregular portion of the hilly surface of this county has been alluded to; no ranges of hills in the direction of the drift being observable. One consequence of this irregularity seems to be the formation of basins, holding the waters pouring down the sides of the hills, and in many places covering wide areas. In these basins vegetable matter has collected for unknown ages, varying at this day from one to six feet in depth. They are to be met in every town in the county, and in some portions possess the characteristics of peat.

These muck deposits or swamps, support a growth of black ash, white cedar and tamarack; they have received but little attention or examination, being deemed generally worthless, yet to a great extent they may be reclaimed by draining, may conduce to fertilize the uplands, and ultimately be converted into rich pastures and meadows. The farmers of this State seem not to be aware that those deposits are available for enriching their fields, and by proper care, becoming the means for restoring many of the elements carried off by over cropping. This remark applies with full force to the farmers of Madison county, because every man has within his easy control an unlimited amount of muck deposit.

There are a few observing men who have experienced large Denefits from the use of muck, and the advantages to their respective farms are so obvious, that the means and methods for its use attract the notice of neighbors; thus by degrees extending an improvement which must add largely to the wealth of the county. Mr. James H. Dunbar, of East Hamilton, was one of the first farmers who composted muck with lime, and by attention to manuring, brought his farm to a high state of cultivation. The farm is now in possession of Mr. H. P. Potter, under whose careful management, it has obtained the first premium of the county this year. The method of composting practiced by Mr. Dunbar, was to draw the muck from the marsh during the winter months; dispose of it in rows that it might freeze and thaw until spring, then add about one load of lime to every ten loads of muck, mixing it [Ag. Trans. 1852.]

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thoroughly by shoveling it over; after resting in this state for four or six weeks, it became decomposed sufficiently for use. applied it broadcast on spring grains, as a top-dressing to fall and to corn hills.

crops,

He

Mr. Alpheus Morse has also used muck from his swamps. As in the previous case, he draws the muck in the winter months, and at the same time adds one bushel of caustic lime to each load, also a peck of salt. By the arrival of spring, a complete decomposition is effected, and of this compost he applies thirty loads to the acre upon his several fields, with decided advantage. He carries muck to his horse yards and cow yards, to absorb the rich liquids, that nothing be lost.

In some instances unleached ashes are added to the muck heap, in the proportion of three bushels to a load of muck, and has been found very effective. The abundant supply of marl presents to every agriculturist of this county the means for composting muck at a reasonable cost. These ingredients, mixed in equal portions, act readily upon each other, and soon produce a fertilizer applicable to almost every crop.

These remarks upon muck deposits, will indicate an extensive area of swamp land in this county-an undesirable feature-for, in the towns of Sullivan and Lenox, more than 15,000 acres are covered with swamp. Public spirit has not been wanting to drain this swamp, and large sums have been abortively expended. The error was probably in the system, for the declivity to the lake, or to the Canandaigua creek, is equal to at least sixteen feet to the mile.

Another important and useful deposit is somewhat abundant in this county; it is tufa, or the carbonate of lime, known sometimes by the name of horse bone stone. It is found in many places along the line of the Helderberg limestone, at the foot of the gravel banks above Delphi. Very extensive deposits exist about three miles from Chittenango, on the road to Cazenovia. This tufa is a calcareous deposit or precipitate from the waters charged with lime.

Several kilns have been erected for burning tufa into lime, which has obtained a character for excellence, commanding twenty cents per bushel at the kiln. Mr. Charles Keeler produces 10,300 bushels of lime per annum from one kiln.

The geological features of the county as explained in regard to the drift deposits, and the subsequent formations of shell marl and muck, will in a great measure account for the soils, upon which the farmer's labor is bestowed with the design to produce a sustenance for himself and his household and a surplus for accumulation.

It seems evident that sand and gravel, pebbles and boulders, have been swept over the face of the county, mingled and mingling by the force of the current, and deposited in masses as controlled by gravity, or directed by interposing obstacles; alumina or clay being deposited in layers or strata where the waters found more repose. In the progress of ages vegetable matter shed a covering over and mixed with the surface earth, thus giving our usual farm soils. The combination of materials forming soil, produces a chemical action, or decomposition on and among one or more of the constituents giving new results, and thus from period to period changing its character. The atmospheric changes are prominent agents in changing the character of the earth's surface.

It has been shown that large areas of water remain stagnant in most of the towns of this county, resting, doubtless, in 'the rock basins, or in basins of clay or tenacious soil. It has been shown, also, that in other parts of the county, deep gravel beds exist in which no water is found at the depth of one hundred feet; and by which, as fast as the dews and showers descend, they are at once absorbed, sinking rapidly through the porous mass.

When treating of the tufa or calcareous deposits near Delphi, and also a few miles from Chittenango, it was described as found along the bottom line of the Helderberg limestone. Now it is