NJDEP - NJGS - First Annual Report of the Geological Survey of the ...

54Ri_,er is chiefly of a loamy, calcareous nature, formed ,by, tKudisintegration of the various kinds of limestone and sandstonebowlders which arc very abundant over its surfaco. Ou theother side of the Little Flatkill, between it and the summit ofthe mountain, the soil is of a sandy nature and deficient in or:ganic matter. On this soil file shell marl, either alone or corn:posted, would be,of great advantage. On the other side of thoKill it should be applied, as a general rule, in smaller quantities,together with vegetable matter.. Thus it will be seen thatvarious circumstances, such as the nature and character of thesoil, manner and form of application," &c., should guide us inthe use of this material as a fertilizer; and when.all thesethings are properly considered, it will undoubtedly prove a• cheap and effectual means of enriching the soils of this'_county.It may be used to a certain extent in place of gypsum, ofwhich there has been a great consumption hero. By referring.to the analyses of Mr. Wurtz in the annexed report, it will bc,observed that this material, (sulphate of lime or gypsmn,) is,sometirhes found as one of its constituents, lqo general rule,can be given in regard to the quantity of marl which may.be applied per acre. This must depend on the various cir-,eumstauees to which we have already, referred i as well .as on:the composition of the marl, its per ccntagu of carbonate of,lime. "&c.Although this valuable fertilizer is found in such extensive:and accessible deposits in every part of the county, it hasbeen .but very little used. This is doubtless owing to the'in,-.judicious manner in which trials of it have, from time to time,,been made. On account of its great accessibility, and through]gnorancc of its nature, it has been applied in such large quan-•titles as to destroy vegetation and render the soll sterile for anumJer of years. On tile property of Mr. James H. Strublc,in Sandiston Township, is a hurrcn spot. of land to which,marl, or calcareous sinter, was applied eighteen years ago:Since this. time, as I was informed, no vegetables v/ould growexcept when a heavy'coat of barn-yhrd manure, or vegetabld.matter, is applied to it, and th0n but 0nc luxuriant crop can.NEW JERSEY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY