The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-01
WASHINGTON: FRIDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY l. 1850
From the Albany EUeiing Journal.
Sketch or Pref. JOhnstone's second Lect,

From the Albany Eoening Journal.
Sketch or Pref. Johnstone's second Lecture.
SuDJEcT.-"Thc Relations of Geology and Min
eralogy to Practical Agriculture"
Gentlemen In addressing an audience in this
place, the subject to which purpose this even
ing to call your attention, labor under apprc-
hension that its importance viii either be under
estimated, the subject itself misunderstood. II
Is fact, that the Siurian rocks Of western New
York have been and continue to be, classic ground
TO every geologist whether of the old world the
new. There is not a lover Of this spiendd science
in all Europe, who Is not grateful to you for the en-
terprise you have exhibited. The "Natural Histo-
ry'' of your State has proved a work, not only OF
profit and advantage, but also one accompanied
with fame and just honor to New York And this
evening fear somewhat to speak TO you on subject
made so familiar by Professors Hall and Emmons.
My illustrations will be principally drawn from my
own country, as both being more new to you and
You all know that geology is science having
reference to the solid crust Of the giobethis crust
being composed Of rocks Of two kinds-stratifisd
and tsasfrafiSed The former lie, when in natural
state, enc above another, like the leaves of book,
and always, in all parts Of the world, having the
same reIatDe position. Bear this in mind, as il Is
one of importance. These beds or strata, as they
are termed, though when in state of nature level
are generally found to be more or less inclined;
this being the result of volcanic or other orcible
agency.
The unstratifed rocks lie in confused masses,
with no regular layers strata, and are far lcss
numerous in kind and name than the stratifed
The two principal varieties are trap and granite; !;
the former, a dark-colored formation, found rarely
in this State; the latter, however, is abundant in
the northeast portion OF New York, there being
there a large and extensive tract of 1t. So much
for the position of rocks; from which we will now
turn To the consideration of the composition of
them.
There are certain peculiar characteristics apper-
tanning to each variety of both the stratifed and
the unstratified. The stratified consist, each OF
them, Of Of these three classes, viz either OF
clay, more less hard, of sand stone, Of iiBle
stone. ! would say that each strata is formed,
either Of one Of these ingredients alone, or OF some
mingling of them as nature has seen tit II is evil
dent large variety may be formed by such mix
rocks, when crumbled by the action of the atmo-
sphere, by rain, whatsoever cause, form soils as
varied, of course in their character, the rocks
from which they are made. Every practical far
mer knows, that different kinds OF lands require
different kinds of treatment, and fitted to differ
ent kinds of crops. For instance, clay soil will
produce what, another variety Of land, would be
total failure. And then agair, the same kind Of
land often differs in its quality and ability to grow
crops, through the agency Of the climate. In dry
climate, clay soil Is barren while in wet, it
may produce bountifully, in England.
The sandstone soil Is dry and unproductive,
'.drinking up all the water and calling for all the
manurc"--easy Of tillage, but Improbable, except
with very peculiar management. Very rarely do
we find soil composed wholly OF lime. II we go
to England, however, We discover large calcare-
region--a soil composed of chalk, covered only
two or three inches with other earth. Chalk is a
variety OF lime. When lime is mingled with the
other ingredients in due proportion, light loamy
SOIL easy Of culture and very fertile, is the result
(The Professor here referred to the ample geologi
cal maps spread out before the audience, and gave
explanation of the purpose for which made, &C.,
and showed their utility in enabling one thus to
judge of the peculiar adaptation Of this or that
section OF the country, for any particular crop or
crops.)
In England, we have two varieties Of clay rock,
which are interesting for reference. The one Il
hard, yet crurnbies into dry soil, perfectly ad-
verse to culture, and hence has lain for time un.
told in grass and FOE this purpose u noted. Scot
land Possesses soil of this kind. Then, again
is the 'sOxford clay' found in Huntington county
soil which, under n dry season, becomes 30 hard
il will ring under hammer, and then in wei
season is so soft and tenacious that cattle puz
zed TO extrcate their feet therefrom while walking
il. Farming this soil Is poor business anc
of little profit. Even the farmers Of Scotland, who
have unboundcd success on their own soil in ren-
dering IL productive, admit that here they fail. In
Oxford clay, they incapable 10 do any thing al
all. Here is example Of the failure following
those who emigrate to new country, of different
soil from their old home, carrying with them only
their old lsbits and antique customs of agricul-
ture. Success only goes with extensive know
ledge. He who has this can accommodate himself
ana his mode Of culture TO any land, and must sue
coed.
We have already spoken of tho dry. sandy soil oi
Wales, as drinking up all the water &c, but
among the sandstone rocksw we often ind thin layers
Of clay other material, which being thus mingled
form fertile soil, in Scotland the great valley
Of Straihmorc, which is cultivated with profit n
both landlord and tenant. This tract of land
during the war paid Eo Of rent per acre, and now
pays E5. The farmers of this section love IL so
wen, that the same families in their descendants,
have crept along by degrees from this point, until
at last they are raising crops of wheat the Ork
ney Islands equal 20 those Of the former place
You cannot persuade them TO leave this kind Of
soil.
when look at this map (referrcd TO beiorc) IL
tells me what the peculiar soils in parts thereof
tho crops they will naturally produce and the
cultivation they need for peculiar purposes. But
this Is not all. From the fact before stated, 1.-THE
relative position Of the rocks) know where 10 find
the maf0id to effect this change. For instance, j
look at a section Of clay ] know IL needs iims
Now that lime IL, according 10 nature, always in
close proximity 20 this clay. ] know II Will be
found tbcre-know its very situation. The quanti-
ty too, the amount necessary 70 fertilize Is made
evident Soils vary, and proper cultivation varies
with them.
The unstratifcd rocks in Scotland form a large
tract They are principally old lavas thrown up
between the stratifed, which, crumblng into n red
soil, form n fertile country. In some this
col s used as AN aid 10 surrounding sol-as a ma
nurc-and has proved very beneficial.
We viii now draw n few illustrations OF the DIFF
ference Of plants, &c. produced by different rocks
crumblcd into soil, from your own land; though
being rather impcrfeotly acquainted with the ee-
ology Of IL, through want OF opportunity Of study
thereof somewhat diffident in referring 10 Il.
In New York, you perceive that the limestone
country Of the central part Is The wheat country
while the valley Of the Mohawk is a corn section,
lime being wanting in its composition. Ifyou 60
10 Alabama from the alluvia soils Of the islands,
you fall upon the nlluyal bluffs, and then TO the
pine barrcns from thence TO the calcareous OF
chalk formation, producing wheat; and then to the
granite soil, producing still different kind OF ver-
dure, fine illustration of the point are consd-
ering. An eminent agriculturist Of France once
divided that land into several distinct districts,
giving to each peculiar property for raising some
particular grain or fruit. OF late, geology has
shown that these divisions do exactly correspond
with the geological divisions Of rocks another srk
ing and fOrcibIe illustration. Soils Of similar com
position often vary in their productive power,
through the agency Of the climate. brick and a
piece Of common clay are similar substances, but
one would make far different soil from tho other.
One is harder than the otherhas been submitted 10
different external agencies. SO H. itwh rocks and
soils In nature, and this should be borne in mind.
We have only time TO hint at the effect produced
by currents Of tcafer In this respect, which u s evil
dent formerly existed, as well now, when this
land was submerged. In our last lecture we spoke
Of their effect on climate and through that on the
-. y "a -