The History of Cayuga County 1789-1879 page 309
Town of Mentz

the cells leaves no doubt as to their mineral origin. The cells show that parts of the rock were disposed to separate into very thin layers which project into the cells, and effect wholly at variance with aeriform cavities, but evidently the result of the simultaneous forming of the rock, and of a soluble mineral, whose removal caused the cells in question. This view appears to be fully confirmed by the discovery in this rock of those forms which are due to common salt, showing that a soluble saline material had existed and acquired shape in it, and been subsequently dissolved, having a cavity or cavities. 

There are two masses of the vermicular rock, an upper and a lower one. The former extends from Port Byron east to the ridge west of Oneida Creek. It is about four feet thick; and its pores or cavities are usually large. The lower mass is limited. Its pores are small, and its greatest thickness is about twenty feet. 

An extensive deposit of gravel and fine building sand has been opened in the hill in the south part of Port Byron, and large quantities of the former have been used in improving the roads in the town. The sand is shipped to other localities by canal. A vertical section of some one hundred feet is exposed, and gives a fine illustration of the dip and strata of the rocks. 

Vast deposits of marl exist in this town in common with many other localities in the County. 

Only recently its development as a fertilizer was begun, and should the enterprise meet with that success which it now seems reasonable to anticipate, this interest is destined to be an important industry in this locality. It will open up an almost inexhaustible mine of the richest manure. 

"This substance is a carbonate of lime, which has separated from its solvent, in water; the latter preventing its particles from cohering together, and allowing them to subside in the state of a calcareous mud. It is in many places constantly depositing from waters holding limestone in solution." 

The soil is a clay loam on the hills, mixed in localities with sand and gravel. In the valleys it is a rich alluvion. It is generally well adapted to wheat and other cereals, which rarely fail on clay bottoms, upon which the surface never heaves. This property of clay, that of holding the roots when the surface is frozen, is highly important. 

The following is an analysis of two specimens of soil taken from the farm of the late Mr. Ira Hopkins in Mentz. The salt group lies below and the surrounding region contains much drift. The first specimen was taken from a dry ridge which has been under cultivation many years, and has produced forty bushels of spring wheat to the acre; the second is a clay loam, resting upon plaster shales:

				First. 	Second.
Water of absorption 		3.84 	5.10
Organic matter 			10.44 	5.94
Silicates 			77.78 	80.40
Peroxide of iron and alumina 	4.98 	5.00
Carbonate of lime 		1.30 	2.36
Magnesia 			1.48 	1.08				
				_____ 	_____
				99.82 	99.88

The town covers an area of 10,081 acres; of which 7,246, are improved; 991, woodland; and 1,844, otherwise unimproved. 

The population in 1875 was 2,300; of whom 2,091 were natives; 209, foreigners; 2,271, white; 29, colored; and 435, owners of land. 

The direct line of the New York Central Railroad extends through the town from east to west a little north of the center; and the Erie Canal, in the same direction, a little south of the center.

Port Byron

Port Byron is beautifully situated in the valley of the Owasco, surrounded by rounded eminences, which, with their alternating verdure and cultivated soil, make a pleasing landscape.  Its principal streets, with their many fine residences and tastily ornamented lawns, evince the aesthetic culture of its citizens.

It is on the line of the Erie Canal, one mile south of the station by the same name on the New York Central Railroad, and distant seven miles north of Auburn, with which it is connected by stage.  It contains six churches (M.E., Presbyterian, Baptist, Free Methodist, Episcopal and Roman Catholic,) an academy, a newspaper

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