“ The Pleistocene ice sheet covered the entire State and is responsible for many of the details of topography.
Soil and Productions.—About one-half the area of the State is adapted to cultivation. The principal forest trees are the maple, oak, pine, elm, hickory, beech, birch, ash, hemlock, spruce, cedar, poplar, willow, whitewood, chestnut, basswood, butternut, sycamore, locust, ailantus, black walnut, yew, and sumach. Agriculture is carried on to a large extent. New York being one of the leading agricultural States in the Union. ”

“ In 1684 Governor Dongan concluded an offensive and defensive treaty with the Indians; and from that time forward the English became their allies and fast friends. The peace of Ryswick in 1697, terminating the war between England and France, Count Frontenac, the French governor of Canada at the time, directed his force against the Five Nations. This proceeding was frustrated by the English governor of the province, who supported the Indians. The great conflict between England and France to decide the sovereignty of America broke out in 1754. ”

“ Churches.—The strongest denominations in the State are the Roman Catholic, Methodist Episcopal, Regular Baptist, Prostestant Episcopal, Reformed Jewish, Congregational, Lutheran General Council, and Lutheran Synodical Conference.
Railways.—The total railway mileage of the State in 1919 was about 8,500. The roads having the longest mileage are the New York Central, the Erie, the Delaware and Hudson, and the Lehigh Valley. ”

“ Salt is an important mineral product. Over 2,000,000 tons are produced annually with a value of about $6,000,000. The value of the cement products is about $7,000,000 annually. Other important mineral products are aluminum, ferro alloys, petroleum, sand and gravel. The total value of the mineral production of the State in 1917 was $52,123,552.
Manufactures.—The river systems with their extensive water power, the proximity of the Pennsylvania coal fields, and the facilities for transportation make New York one of the most prominent manufacturing States. ”

“ The principal articles of manufacture include cotton, woolen, and silk goods, boots and shoes, clothing, tobacco, liquors, foundry and machine shop products, paper, flour and grist, locomotives, electrical goods, machinery, furniture, household and agricultural implements, toys and novelties, leather goods, and glass. ”

“ Lawrence, and the other reaching the Atlantic by the Hudson. The Hudson river, the most important in the State, rises in the Adirondack Mountains and is navigable for 150 miles. The St. Lawrence forms 100 miles of the Canadian boundary. Other important rivers are the Mohawk, entering the Hudson at Cohoes, the Susquehanna, formed by the Chenango and Tioga, the Delaware, Niagara, Black, Genesee, Oswego, and Allegheny. The lakes are numerous and noted for their beauty. One half of Lakes Ontario, and Champlain, and the E. end of Lake Erie are property of the State. ”