The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-08-06


Typographical and Geological Vi,p of Nep Jersey.
AS you are well aware, the study Of our own
couniry's geology is deeply interesting one, and
one, when accompanied with actual observation, is
calculated TO impart great deal of valuable in
formation in regard TO the mineral wealth Of the
United States. According To agreement, here
with commence my series of letters, beginning
with the geological and agricultural aspect of the
State of New Jersey.
That portion Of our country called New Jersey,
lies between lat. IS deg. SO min and Al deg. q min
north longitude, and contains an area of 4,65635O
acres, or PIT square miles. The geological fea-
lures Of this State may be properly classed into
three general divisions-the auvial aud southern
the secondary, hilly and middle; the northern and
mountainous, comprising the primitive and transit
ton formations. The southern division, which is
bordered on the south and east by the Delaware
bay and the ocean, the north and west by the
Delaware river. The State is about one hun
dIed and ten miles in length and seventy-hve in
breadth, with small exception, and is almost en-
tirely of an aliuvial formation Ga the south side
of the Nevisink hills, it is very seldom that the
surface rises above the level of the ocean sixty
feet but those ridges ad AGENT to the sea rise in
some places, nearly 80 feet. 1t is evident from
their geological organization, that they now stand
where the waters Of the ocean formerly rolled, IN
many places resting on large beds of oyster shells
and other marine relics, inlerminged with clay ana
vast quantity of sea mud. The soil IN this section
is very sandy, highly colOred with oxide OF iron.
The upper strata contain a reddish sand and pud-
ding stone, cemented by iron. Large rocks, and
beds Of seemingly more, in place OF frruglneous
sand stone, more recent formation than the al
luvial below, containing sufficient metal to be
called an ore of iron, are frequently discovered
The sands of the shore are strongly blended
with particles of and the waters OF some OF the
sire ans, which descend from the top of the clay
strata ARE red with oxide ofron Eervesences of the
sulphate of iron and alumina sometimes OBJ
served; and spontaneous conclusions are frequent
" noticed here generated in the beds of suphuret
of IRON The strata of the eastern declivity, which
is very steep, are exposed to frequent land slides
Few agricultural Improvements have been made
on these hills, as they are rough, broken, and
covered with thick forest, in which deer are still
discovered. A most grand and picturesque view
of the ocean is disclosed from their summit, and
the seaboard presents an unequalled panorama, as
far as the eye can reach. Though not SO exten-
sve, the prospect on land is no less interesting
i
some years ago, somewhat strange and remark
able cave was discovered, which is thirty feet long
and fifteen in breadth, and contains three different
and distinct apartments. The roof is very low
and the entrance is difficult The upper part is
formed in arch of soft rock, through whish
there is constant filtration of water, which perco
lates through the pores, and keeps the sandy bot
tom always damp.
The soil of this alluval district is composed Of
sand and clay, sometimes one OVERLAPPING the other
but, very often, intimately blended, the union of
which usually forms tolerably fertile loan,
which is frequently found on its northern and
western borders, of considerably varying
breadth. At one point north of Salem, il is about
eight miles wide; but south Of that town it is
found to be less than mile On the east Of this
strip of loamy soil, and west of the marsh which
girds the shore Of the sea, lies unusually large
sandy plain, scarcely broken by any inequality,
and originally covered by a shrub oak and pine
forest; but the wood from great portion has been
cut of two or three times. In this section there
are many square miles Of territory on which there
dwels not u human being, and where still the deer
may be found, and occasionally the bear and WOLF
In this sandy desert, however, there are strips Of
land which yield compensatory crop OF corn and
rye, to the labors Of the husbandman I; and, in
many places the deep silence OF the forest Is
awak ened by the sound Of the Woodlands axe,
and the din Of the forge hammer; and the gloom
of the forest is broken by the light from the furnace
and tie glass mandatory. Four-fifths OF the al
luvia district is covered by this immense fore ST, and
half century ago the general value OF the land
was not more than ten cents per acre. AT thatume
there was but limited demand for timber, the
more substantial, such as oak and hickory, being
preferred for architectural purposes, and the land
was thought to be worth less than the expense Of
clearing. But when furnaces and glass manufacto-
ries were established, the woodlands in their Local
lions became quite valuable and, when the In
creased number Of steamboats, first lined the Della
ware, the wood from the interior OF New Jersey be-
gan TO increase in value, and IN few years its
prices was quadrupled. The demand for such fuel
steadily increased; the former almost worthless
pine lands rapidly advanced in value and the once
Idle inhabitants of the ashore, awaited themselves
If the moment, and found abundant and profitable
employment In supplying the growing demands.
Since then, anthracite coal has been introduced,
which lie far superior as fuel, and 1.-THE con.
sumption Of oak wood has been greatly diminished
in consequence, but a larger amount Of pine wood
has been called for for The purpose Of ignting the
fossil. The portable culinary furnace enhancedthe
demand 10 greater degree, as thousands Of these
useful articles are, during the summer. fed by char
coal All these circumstances combined, have
prodsced an entire revolution IN the value OF pine
lands. The former price Of ten cents an acre, has
been increased to ten dollars; and where the land
IL conveniently situated TO the market, u Is now
worth from thirty TO nifty dollars an acre.
From -four to twenty feet below the surface Of the
SOIL throughout great portion Of the alluyia dis
uct, is found species Of greenish blue earth, mix
ed with shells. forming good quality Of mari.
This substance renders this section Of country
douby valuable in an agricultural point OF view, In
consequence Of its being used as a manure, 10 re-
claim the soil Of the sandy portions Of the dis
trct The essential quality Of mari, manure, Is
lime, and its value Is increased or diminished, IN
proportion {, the amount Of calcareous matter u
contains There are marls Of purer nature
than any which can be found in the State Of New
Jersey the Jersey mars being known as the shell,
clay and stone marls. The shell marlis composed
Of testaceous matter in vsrous quantities and de-
pens that bones Of marine and land animals and
shells are found imbeded in 1t, such the bones OF
the rhinoccros, elephants teeth deers horns, bones
of he whale, shsrks teeth, and entire skeletons Of
hsh, Together with Rraphytes beemnites, cardites,
and yarions shelLtsh The clay mari derives its
name from the quantity Of clay in union with cal
caroous substances. This kiad Of mari varies in