Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-12-12

vance sheets of the soil survey of the Connecticut valley, which was made last summer and which is supplement tary to the one made in 1899. This lat ter report finishes the work in Connec ticut and covers the valley from the latitude of NeW Britain and South Glastonbury to the north boundary of Massachusetts. The area is 72.5 miles long, and the Connecticut river flows langthwise through its central part. The width of the survey varies from 13.5 miles in the northern part tt about 25 miles in the laritude of Hart, ford.
 The report speaks of the early set clement of the Connecticut valley and then goes on as follows: "Not ves- t1Re of [the first native growth timber \ remains and in many instances t series of crops of timber have been ob, tatned from the same land. Amona l the growth of trees that now eoveA large areas may be seen the abundant proof that that same land has been cleared and cultivated for series of l years at some earlier time These l signs are more noticeable and numer- ol1s on the uplands than in the lowest parts of the valley. because the lalln least fAvorabIy situated was first abandoned when the economic condl, ti0ns of the country became such tllat abando donment at some point was neces- sary. This abandonment is traceable to n combination of circumstances The principal reason was the openIna of new and fertile western lands rath- IGSFs n0Y fSSesy sS@ f4v1 abandoned lands.
 The rocks underlying the Connecti-, cut valley belong to Paleozois and Mesozois times. The basis of the righ- lands IS q complex series of tilted 0neisses, schists and intrusive rocks now widely exposed The underlying material of the valley is correlated with the Miassic period. and is of red dish color. due ito the presence of large amounts of iron compounds The re- zion has long been one of intense geological activity, which has pro- duced great faults. Through many of these which cut the triassie formations masses of molten rock were intruced and now form the black trap rock Of the Holyoka. DeerfeId and related ranges.
 sheae aariest Of raclsg formed the surface of the country when the glacial ice nstVered aI1 the region. Rocks Of all kinds were ground into flour ana deposited irregularly over hills and in depressions, On the highlands and higher hills of the valley this deposit is comparatively thin and inclined to he sandy. On the walls of the valley the drift is very thin, and over large areas practically absent. The varia- tions in the pressure of the ice flow probably caused it to form the large rOunded drnmlins; which are very compact and do not show the effect of flowing water. except at their sun face. 2
 ".As the ice receded pools and lakes were formed over the land surface and the Connecticut valley became a great lake. Tn these places sand and gravel accumulated. in the largest lakes also clay. and these materials formed the present soil covering. These lake de- posits have been eroded by the later already mentioned. The streams have further aided in soil formation by de- posits that occupy the lowest parts of their valleys"
 There were found fourteen different types of soils of which eleven are found in Connecticut, as follows: Trias- sic stony loam, Hartford sandy loam, Connecticut meadows, Windsor sand. Enfield sandy loam, Manchester sandy loam Connecticut swamp, Norfolk coarse sandy ioan1, Suffleld clay, Elm wood loam and Podunk 5ne sandy Ioam.
 The report goes into details of these various soils and then speaks of the general agricultural conditions, The price of land varies greatly, and the principal crop in point of value is to- bacco. One interesting part of the re- port relates to thek foreign population that is gradually taking possession of so many farms On this point the re- port says: Throughout the area there is taking place noticeable movement of foreigners into the agricultural re- gions and many of these are obtaining possession of farms in the more re, mote districts. They are increasing in number and buying nearer and nearer the centers of population 1t seems probable that this element, composed chiefly of Poles and Italians, will ultt lnateIy bring about change in tha agricultural conditions of the area bS again bringing under cultivation much of the abandoned land. The farm labor is chiefly Poles and commands wages of from SIPS to $1.50 per day for or-l dinary work.
 Public bullulng B1u.
 The house committee on public buildings and grounds had a protract- ed meeting Saturday arternooa anu went over the situation as far as a general public building bill is con- cerned. It was agreed that some Sine Of a bill should be presented. aud then an effort made to induce Speaker Cam non to allow it to come up. It was decided, however. to cut down all along the line as much as possible, in facS, the amount to be carried by the bin was finally settled upon as not more than $SO00,00O. It was expected by the members that a large bill of ac least $2O,0O00o0 would be passed this session, and if the committee cuts i down as now intended many projects will have to go by the board.
 Congressman Henry has already been 1 before the committee in relation to the l New Britain postoff1ce building. and he has received assurances that this building will be included, If any bill at all is reported. There is no other pub. lie building bill being pushed flom Connecticut as all the members realize