right to use the water, by allowing reason-of crime; for how many 5th. That the judges of the county courts should act as appraisers, instead of commissioners appointed by the vice chan cellor. The second complainants contended that the corporation ought to be prohibited from using the land required under the act for any other purposes than that of supplying the city with water, and should it not be used for said purpose, that it ought to revert to the person from whom it was taken, he paying back the sum received for it.That necessary fences should be erected and sustained by the corporation, and convenient passes made under and across the aqueduct, where it intersects the land of an individual owner. The remonstrance to the legislature by the first complainants, was effectually opposed by the commissioners, and no order was taken on it by that honorable body; but the complaints of the second appeared to the commissioners reasonable, and an act was accordingly passed on the 26th of May, 1936, embracing the aforesaid provisions, to which the commissioners could see no objections. lous about taking from another, what they tions of the materials to be used, the man men would be ton dam, the piers and bridges for crossing will be greatly benefitted, but at a very The citizens of New-York, it is admitted, heavy expense. They are not the only portion of the community, however, who city of New-York is the principal mart of will reap advantage from the project. The these United States, and those who send sale, or who come there for the purpose of the produce of their farms to this market for purchasing domestic or foreign produce, will enjoy, as well as our own citizens, the benefirst necessity, from the use of which they fit of a plentiful supply of an element of the can feel assured that no injury will ensue to the constitution or the health of the par taker. The county of Westchester is more par- and prosperity of New-York, she is insured ticable and the commissioners are in hopes that if they succeed in obtaining the land, to estimate the value of which commis plans and specifications, they will still be ceive from the engineers the necescary sioners have been appointed, and shall reenabled to place some part of the work under contract before the close of the pre sent year. All which is respectfully submitted. Water Commission Office of the Water Commis-) From the Albany Argus. ers. that the legislature at the last session, made STATE. It will be generally recollected THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE and zoological productions. This imporState, including an account of its botanical provision for a geological survey of this tant measure was to be executed under the lines of a plan for this work, together with persons to be appointed by him The outdirection of the Governor, by competent a specification of the objects to be embraced The commissioners were in hopes that the passage of the aforesaid act, would convince the people of Westchester that they were anxious to secure to them every right and privilege that could be reasonably required. It appears, however, that there are still dissatisfied persons among them, as by the proceedings of a meeting lately held at Tarrytown, it is said, a remon strance in the form of resolutions was passed, which, among other inadmissible demands, declares in substance that the taking of their lands will be resisted and will be expended in the county, will nat. State. This plan has, with some inconcarried up to the supreme court of the United States, unless the corporation will indemnify the citizens of chiefly of second rate quality, the price Second, the land required for the work is paid for it will be liberal, and will produce a greater income to the owner than what in it, were subinitted to the legislature in would be realized from its cultivation; and an able and excellent report, made to Third, the large amount of money that that body by Gen. Dix, as Secretary of urally tend to increase the trade of the siderable alterations, been adopted by the place, and thereby not only benefit the Governor. The State is divided into four agree to Westchester from all damage they may also. farmer, but the merchant and mechanic districts, and one principal geologist and sustain by taking their lands, together with all such other damage as may accrue to by the proceedings alluded to, have pre- by Gen Dix. The unfortunate prejudices engendered geologists, as suggested in the report made an assistant assigned to each, instead of two them now and hereafter; intended no doubt vented the commissioners from bringing to include any loss they may sustain by any farther negociation for the land re- sary to have a draughtsman for each distheft or other crimes committed by persons quired to a favorable issue, and they have trict, but it is believed that a change in this employed on the works. If this is not the accordingly applied to the vice chancellor respect can be advantageously made. The meaning, why is it that they oppose the for the appointment of commissioners to geologist and his assistant will be able to act of 1834, which provides compensation take by appraisement some pieces of land execute all the ordinary drawings, and the for all damage sustained in taking the land belonging to James Griffin, James Palmer, services of only one draughtsman will be or water or affected thereby? The 13th Zophar Palmer and Joshua Purdy, lying required to execute the more difficult parts section declares that "In case of disagree in the vicinity of the site for the Croton of this branch of the work. An accurate, ment between the commissioners and the dam, which application has been acceded minute and uniform ana, Isis of the mine owners of any property which may be re- to, and the business is believed to be in a quired for the said purpose, or affected by progressive state. any operation connected therewith, as to the It will be seen from the above that the It was supposed that it would be neces rals, including mineral waters, and of the vaity. To ensure the best result in this respect, great importance, and will be of evident util rious soils of the State, has been deemed of and to prevent the repetition of the same labor to some extent at least by each geologist, this department of the work has been com amount of compensation to be paid such principal obstacle now in the way of pro owner, the vice chancellor of the first cir- ceeding with the work is the difficulty to cuit may, upon the application of either be overcome in obtaining the necessary party, nominate and appoint three indiffer- land. The commissioners, however, are ent persons to examine such property, and still in hopes that after the proper explana- mitted to one person. The Governor has, to estimate the value thereof, or damage tions shall be made to the inhabitants of we believe, taken great pains to secure to Westchester, most, if not all these difficul- the State the services of persons in all re At a meeting of the commissioners on the them; and has almost completed the list of spects well qualified for the duties assigned sustained thereby." How in justice more can be required ties will be removed. than what the law provides, the commissioners are unable to perceive. If the cor- 23d of July, 1836, the chief engineer was appointments. poration agreed to the demands made in required to furnish them with plans and John Torry, M. D, Professor of Chem the resolutions said to be passed at the specification of the Croton aqueduct, the istry and Botany in the College of Phymeeting alluded to, it would in effect, as the several tunnels throughout the line of aque- sicians and Surgeons, New-York, &c., is commissioners view it, amount to the pro- duct, the several embankments on said line, appointed Botanist, and is to execute the bopremium for the commission the several culverts on the said, line the Cro-tanical de partment of the survey. claiming of a Lewis C. Beck, Professor of Chemistry The assistance which the geologists will west and north-east, the bleak points of the and Botany in the New-York Uuniversity, be desirous of receiving, will, I presume, re-farm-buildings, the borders of permanent &c., is appointed Mineralogist and Chen- late principally to information concerning divisions, and the highway side. ist, and has charge of that branch of the localities which are interesting as connect- Every soil and climate are naturally work which relates to the chemical analy-ed with the objects of the survey-to the adapted to the growth of particular species sis of the minerals, soils, &c. collection of specimens and to the facili- of trees. These indications of nature James E. De Kay, M. D. author of nuties which they may require in conducting should be consulted, and trees growing nat merous papers on the Geology and Zoology of the United States, has charge of the Zoological Department. William W. Mather, for several years Professor of Mineralogy and Geology in the Military Academy at West Point, is appointed principal geologist to execute the survey of the first district. His assistant has not yet been selected. The first district is composed of the following counties Suffolk, Queens, Kings, Richmond, NewYork, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, Delaware, UIser, Greene, Columbia, Rensselaer, Albany, Schoharie, Schenectady, Saratoga and Washington. Ebenezer Emmons, M. D., professor of natural history in Williams College, has been appointed principal geologist for the the more difficult part of their researches. It may be that in the course of their re- sent. A careful and complete geological survey of the State, including a minute and accurate analysis of its minerals and soils, second district. James Hall, instructor in on the "Fossil shells of the Tertiary for- designed by the legislative, is an undertak mations of the U. S.;" Monograph of the American Uniodeæ, &c. is appointed principal geologist for the third district; and Geo W. Boyd, M. D., curator of the N. Y. Ly. ceum of natural history, is appointed his assistant. This district includes the counties of Montgomery, Herkimer, Oneida, Lewis, Oswego, Madison, Onondaga, Cayuga, Wayne, Ontario, Monroe, Orleans, Genesee and Livingston. ing of mich labor, and although executed Permit me to solicit from you such facili- The fourth district includes the counties of Otsego, Chenango, Broome, Tioga, Cortland, Tompkins, Seneca, Yates, Steuben, Allegany, Cattarangus, Chautauque, Erie, and Niagara. Lardner Vanuxem, late professor of chemistry and mineralogy in spect, your obedient servant, Columbia College, South Carolina, has been appointed principal geologist for this district. The assistant has not yet been se I have the honor to be, with great re lected: The following is a copy of a circular which the Governor, has furnished to the persons employed in the survey: Albany, 25th July, 1836. Sir-I take the liberty to introduce to you one of the gentlemen employed in executing the geological survey of the State, directed by the legislature at the last session. The importance of this measure in respect to our general prosperity, and particularly to the interests of the people in those sections of the State which are supposed to contain mineral productions, or in which valuable discoveries may be made, will, I trust, secure to them a favorable consideration in every place to which their duties may lead them. I confidently anticipate a readiness on the part of the inhabitants in every section of the State, to render to the persons engaged in this work, such assistance as will facilitate its execu tion. W. L. MARCY. From the Cultivator, for Au ust. Of the soils and situations most proper particularizes a urally on similar soils in the neighborhood, or under a like temperature, should be selected. The work before us gives the analysis of various soils which had been planted as woodland, and indicates the trees which have flourished best upon each. On a sandy heath soil, containing but three parts in 400 of clay, incumbent on ferruginous stones, the Scotch fir, (Pinius sylvestris,) birch and beech succeeded well, and the last best when the subsoil was deep sand. A poor sandy soil, seven parts in 400 of clay, was found congenial to the growth of the pine, larch, sycamore, &c. A sandy loam, with nine parts in 400 of clay, grew the larch and fir tribes luxuriandy, and also the beach. On a light sand, incumbent on clay, the oak and chesnut did well, and the elm tolerably so. A clay loam, on a clay subsoil, brought the oak to the highest state of perfection. Onadampclayey soil, incur bent on clay, the oak, elm, ash and horn-beam, attained to great perfection, and the tulip tree (whitewood,) grew free when the ground was trenched. A rich alluvial marsh soil, containg 32 parts in 400 of clay, and 40 of vegetable matter, is said to be capable of growing all kinds of trees, at least the following were found to thrive extremely well, viz. willow, alder, (some European species of these, grow to trees,) elm, sycamore, ash, locust, birch, oak, horse chesnut, Spanish chesnut, horn-beam, lime, &c. In selecting trees for a plantation, reference should also be hal to quickness of growth and value of product. Where it is exempt from the borer, these qualities are found eminently combined in the common locust, (robina with the furbina pseudo-acacia,) ther advantage, that it multiples rapidly by its roots. The oak, ash, beech, maple, walnut, baswood, plane, chesnut, elm, and many other native decidius trees, are readily propagated by seed, and afford profitable timber and wood. Of the coniferous trees, the seeds of several species of pine, larch, and fir, indigenous and exotic, may be readily procured. The Scotch pine and larch are particularly of thrifty growth, and are useful in the arts and on the farm. The relative growth of several kinds of trees, during 17 years after planting, is shown below, as ascertained on a plantation of the Duke of Bedford, in England, upon porous soil. The measurement was meant to indicate the medium size, individual trees being found much larger. The last column of figures shows the height at which the several kinds are usually planted 1. Exposed waste lands, and those that are steep, rocky and precipitous. The loss to individuals, and to the nation, by such large tracts of land lying utterly unproduc- out, from nursery beds, in Great Britain. tive, is incalculable. 2. Lands of better quality, which are unproductive by reason of their exposure to bleak winds. Cases are cited, where lands altogether unproductive before, have been brought to produce good corn and pasture. merely by a judicious disposition and arrangement of belts of trees to shelter the ground, and thereby ameliorate the climate. 3. Where the local soil and climate are good, a scarcity of timber exists, or is like ty to exist soon, for the periodical wants of 23 do 21 do 6 to 20 23 do 13 do 6 to 30 20 do 17 do 6 to 20 Poplar, 27 do : : The shaft, from whence the Tunnel works are carried on, was built at Rotherhithe in the form of a tower, 50 feet in diameter, 40 feet in height, and 3 feet thick, at about 150 feet from the edge of the wharf, and it was sunk into its position by excavating the earth within. In the annexed sketch the brick-work is supposed to be broken open, to show its construction, and the numbers below refer to the different parts of that " tower," which now forms the shaft, and is intended finally to be occupied by an easy double flight of granite steps, for the use of foot passertgers through the Tunnel. 1.1. The wooden rings or flat curbs. 2. The iron curb. 3. Hoops or laths binding together the uprights. 4.4. Iron rods enclosed in 5.5. Wooden rods . . wood) screwed tight to the top and the bottom curb. .. } A transverse section of the Tunnel is here given, showing the || rity while in progress, built quite solid; but for convenience, dimensions of the mass of brick-work, which is all firmly set in || light, and general effect, a succession of arches are opened in that middle wall, so as to admit of frequent communications be tween the two carriage ways. A longitudinal section of about 40 feet of the Tunnel, with a side view of the shield, and the miners as well as bricklayers at work. This sketch represents also the moving stage, with two floors, used by the miners to throw thereon, for removal, the earth they excavate; and where the bricks, cement, and other || used to push each division forward. materials, are placed in readiness for the bricklayers. Towards the head and foot of the shield is also shown the position of the horizontal screws, a pair of which being attached to each of the divisions, and turned so as to press against the brick-work, are The divisions of the shield are advanced separately and indepondently of each other, by the means pointed out in the foregoing sketch: each division, as is attempted to be shown in the annexed design, has boards in front (known by the technical name of poling boards) supported and kept in position by means of jack screws, which are lodged against the front of the iron frame; these boards are in succession taken down while the earth in front of each is excavated, the first board being always replaced before a second is removed; thus forming a constant firm buttress. The several parts will be better understood by reference to the following nunibers.— |