The Soil is less uniform, as the Surface is more unequal, than in the more Southern Provinces ; & consequently there is a great variety of soil in several parts of the Province. It is generally proper for most sort of Grain, as wheat, Rye, Barley, Oats, Maiz or Indian Corn & Buckwheat. The wheat of this Province is generally heavier than that of the Provinces more to the Southward & yields a larger quantity & better kind of Flower.

The soil is likewise more fit for pasturage running naturally, assoon as it is clear'd of the woods into clover and other good grass, & is almost every where intermixed with good meadow. grounds. These in several parts are of a deep rich black mold & have when sufficiently drain'd produced Hemp to great advantage. What I say of Hemp is grounded on what has been done in New Jersey, & tho' the experiment has not been sufficiently tried in this Province, I can see no reason to doubt of the like success.

On many of the Branches of Hudson's River, &- near Albany on Hudson's river it self, there is a kind of soil made by the Rivers & extends about half a mile in breadth along the Rivers. This being made by the soil, which the Rivers let fall is exceed-

Minerals.

Nature of the soil.

PROVINCE OF NEW YORK. 175

ing rich, yields large crops of the best Wheat, and the repeated - overflowings of the Rivers keeps it always in strenth.