SOIL TREATMENTS TO OVERCOME THE INJURIOUS 



EFFECTS OF TOXIC MATERIALS IN EASTERN 



NORTH CAROLINA SWAMP LAND 



By M, E. Sherwin 



Location of the Specific Area 



The area to be specifically discussed is situated on the Nissen 

 Farms at Terra Ceia in Beaufort County, North Carolina. This area 

 has been drained by canals and open ditches for several years and has 

 produced eight or ten crops. 



Soil Characteristics 



The soil is deep peat, about 90^0 organic. The surface is loose and 

 open but the soil passes at a depth of six to eight inches to a soggy, 

 lighter brown material with a capillary water capacity of from 400^ 

 to 650%. At the close of the dry summer of 1921 samples taken 

 from the field were found to have approximately 265 per cent of 

 water. These high percentages are held by capillarity but the water 

 may be squeezed out as from a sponge by pressure. After being dried, 

 the soil reabsorbs water slowly and to a relatively slight extent as 

 shown by the following : 



Water held as taken from the fiekl 264.93% 



After being oven dried and then allowed to stand 4 



days in water 18.30% 



Same soil after standing 12 hours in water at 80°C. 



absorbed additionally 41.22% 



Total absorbed 59.52% 



The lime requirement as reported by the Bureau of Soils is slightly 

 in excess of one ton CaCOg per acre inch. The pH values as deter- 

 mined in the soils laboratory at the N, C. State College, vary from 

 3.5 to 5. 



Crop Characteristics 



Spots designated as "poor" appear irregularly scattered without 

 any obvious physical differences in the soil ; yet the crop difference is 

 very great almost to a line. 



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