The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-30

public sales continued to he limited to small par
GELS mostly OF improved property. An exception &C.
Cured during the week the sale OF Boulevard
lots by A. J. Blocker Son 4 Co., of which we have
already given particulars The attendance at the
several sales OF the week was good and encouraging
to those who look Tor an active movement In real
estate this spring, while the inquiry AT the desk
equally hopeful. Transactions indicate continued
frmne5s in values.
What was said here last week upon the subject OF
LONG ISLAND LANDS,
in connection with the awakening interest already
noted In that direction, has caused revival Of an
old controversy respecting the character and value
OF these lands. For generations alm0st the popular
opinion has been that these lands, OF which more
particular description is given below, were worth
less barrens. No effort had ever been made to Guilt
waite them, and tradition pointed them out as inca.
paple of cultivation. They were on every side
regarded as wild, sterile waste. In this general
condemnation was included Hampstead plains.
Such q singular phenomenon of an extended
wilderness covered with rich growth of
trees OF various kinds, well watered through
out and bounded on every side by the richest
and most luXurant soil, yielding fruitful harvests
could not, OF course, escape the notice OF scientific
observers, and there were not wanting men of
tho ught and understanding who denied the general
assumption of the islanders in respect to these lands
ana challenged proof III support OF the condemna.
ton with which they Were visited. Singular, or,
indeed rather not singular to say-for
THE AVERAGE NAN
is made up CT preudce-these proofs were not forth
coming. and although every argumen. which science
and analogy could supply was brought to bear to
dsprOve the popular verdict, for years and years
no progress was maze, even in respecu to
tie Hampstead plains, which the town au-
thorlrles persisted in regarding as almost
valueess, Notwithstanding that Professor
RenwtcK OF Columbia College, after an analysis or
portions or soil taken thence, haddeclared them Ito
partake OF all the constituents of fertile SOIL in
large proportion. only recurring the application of
quick lime and other decOmposing substances to be
ut Tor cultivation" The purchase OF these plans,
however, by Mr. Stewart, has served as powerful
argument in support or the views OF the savans,
investing these lands with some suspicion OF value
IN the eyes OF the Islanders. The presence OF the
great millionaire as neglbor, and which first
startled, them afterwards caused them think; and
as other New Workers appeared among them.
the correctness OF their former opinions has
at last entered their minds. 1t is difficult,
pecially when those have been handed down from
sire to son; hence there are many even now who
pooh-p0oh all ideas OF these wild lands ever being
made productive. Their fathers formed sucn a
line before them, and beyond that thought it use
to CO. Why should they assume 10 be wiser than
their fathers. The Long Islanders not the only
ones who reason in the same way.
DESTROYS, In view OF the awakened discussion
upon the subject Of these lands. and knowing that
the opinions Of the Islanders found strong express
sion In DR.. Primes History OF Long Island the
writer day or two since called on DR. f.. +. pecK
oil Brooklyn, who the irst to advocate the prac-
ucabllty OF the cultivation or the so-caled
'barrens' in letter IN 1916 to Benjamin 7. Tnomp-
son. another historian OF Long Island TO learn upon
what data lie founded his Judgment DR.
Peck has been since identified, as it WERE with
qualifications as
AN AGRcuLruRrsr AND NATURALIST,
both In theory and practice, enable INN to form
rect opinion. 1t was that which first moved thought-
ful men TO examine and Judge for themselves as TO
the correctness OF these views. Many eminent men
have since conlrmed his Judgment. DR.. Peck eX-
pressed himself as pleased to see the writer, and
willingly accorded him the desired information, in
an easy cooquial way, indicative of familiarity
with the subject ana the utmost certainty OF con-
victon. We give Or. Pecks answers to our in
quries as near possible
REP0RTER-l am told, Doctor, you are the pioneer
IN the work OF the settlement ana cultivation OF the
plains or barrens OF Long Island ana know more
ABOUT those lands their eXtcn. and qualities tnan
any other man.
DR.. Pgck-Ihat is probably true. for have had a
pretty long Journey III the wilderness OF Long
Island, and any experience and observation con
corning these lands extend over period OF thirty
years.
REPoRrER-What is the extent OF the lands m
ana unoccupled commonly known as
the plains or barrens OF Long Island, and In what
part OF the island are they,
III
OF Suffolk, which embraces within lis ar about
twO-thirds OF the whole extent of the island and
comprise the central portion OF the island, about SIX
to eight miles WI eXteLding from Farmingdale
Qtnirty miles rom the city, TO Riverhead, dis
lance OF l0rty miles.
REPORTER--What Is this entire section, such as
you have described untmprOveug
DR.. PEcK-lt is as a rule. There are patches
here and there extending within the area have as
signed TO the unlmproved lands, as the line,
although wonderfully straight, Is still necessarily
regular. The improved land III this part OF Long
10 MI an a mo ha
by the figure of cucumber, split from
end to end. Place the open side up, and the fine
part Tne soft portion IN the centre indicates the
position OF these uncccupled lands. Turn the Gu
cumper over and 1t gives the shape OF the island.
REPoRTER-Does not this elevated situation
render these lands eXpoSed2
DR.. PECK--It does not and In fact they are even
less than the settlements along the shore. The
highest elevation Is IN the neighborhood OF hemp
stead, $50 feet above the level OF the From this
the ground gradually descends In an easy, und,,-
ating slope all sides, presenting the appearance
OF plateau or table land, with slightly varied
surface. Ailer passing Hampstead YOU come upon
sheltered woodland, which is much more favorable
Tor fruit culture than the shore lands Twenty-Five
years ago these lands were covered with heavy pine
and on the north and south borders OAK, chestnut
and hickory. me whole OF tue plateau Is natural
garden anu presents
NO EXTERNAL APPEARANCE OF BARRESNEss OR
SIERiLiTY.
Take the lands this side OF the Connecticut or Car
mans river. about sixty miles from New YORK. In
that range there IS not an acre incapable Of garden
cultivation.
REpoRrER-what is the character of the timber
growth Of the present day.
DR.. PECK-The axe and the fires since the opening
of the Long Island Railroad, which passes through
the very centre OF tins tract have destroyed great
portions OF the Old timber, and il Is now covered
mostly with a younger growth. 1t IS u remarkable
fact that ON these lands the growth Of the wood
proauces Itself every twenty-five years fit for
market.
REPoRrER-What is the nature of this young tim
Der?
DIR. PECK-It is the much dreaded scrub oak" OF
which the islanders have such a horror, and by
means OF which they have frightened on settlers
from occupying or cuiIvating these Lands. This is
A FAMOUS ERROR.
Scrub oak, also called "Dear" oak, Is a bountilul
provision Of nature here 10 clothe the earth with
green and prevent it becoming an arid waste, or
barren after the destruction OF the forest 1t IS not
peculiar to the poor or light soils OF the island, but
is found indigenous all over and Is distinct shrub,
the qfUus il,ge, Of naturalists, little black oak.
1t can never be made tree no more than y lilac
bush no matter how rich the SOIL may be. 1t Is,
howe OF extremely vigorous growth, ranging
from five TO twenty eet IN height, but usually from
seven 10 ten feet and in few years after its appear