256 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 
land, so highly prized in Abbeville, excepting so far as the Abbeville lands have been improved by 
cultivation. 
I was informed that this region was once a naked plain, with but a few scattered Post Oaks, the 
stumps of which are yet seen. "lhe soil bears in appearance a resemblance to what are called Post 
Oak prairies in Alabama. 
I believe the Black Jack Oak, which is the common growth of this part of Chester, has produced 
a false impression in relation to the soil where it predominates. 
The indications presented by trees, of the value of soils, are not reliable, beyond the neighborhoods 
where direct observations have been made ; for what is true in one place, may mislead in another, and 
I think that this tree indicates the relations of the soil to moisture rather than to fertility. 
Thorough draining, breaking up of the sub-soil, deepening the arable soil by judicious ploughing, 
and the addition of organic matter, are the means of bringing the Chester lands up to the best in 
the State. ; : 
I have noticed that trap soils are preferred for grain, rather than for cotton, where a:choice is pre- 
sented. But unfortunately they do not constitute a large portion of the soils of the State, but inter- 
sect 1t In narrow strips. 
The following analyses show the composition of these soils. No. 1, is from the Flat-woods, N.W. 
of Calhoun’s Mills, from a well cultivated plantation. No. 2, is from the Meadow Woods not cultivat- 
ed. No. 3, is from Fishing Creek, Chester, not cultivated. 
INo. 1. No. 2. No 3. 
Orsanichmattcrseeen sass as eee O20 ae a4 Oe eal OO 
Dulica ee eo ee een so ee ee BME ES O10) (es eS OO ee 60.00 
Amine, = ee — ee ee wey Po iO ee 19/3 0 seen 20.50 
Oside-of Treni= see eat a seo ees 9008.32 ye Ree 8.70 
ime te ea ae pica an archaea eee Seen 250 =e Eee ema CLO) 
Mapticsia, ae ee ye aay traceoseae Ob Os-eess 
Potish Vandas oda ee meee eee eee 040===2 tTACe ee eee 0.20 
Rbosphate of limean=2-=— saa RAGE noe eee—— Ss 
Water and: loss, 5 Stee. 2 2 eee ASQ sees 9 OSS 6.70 
100.00 100.00 100.00 ™ 
Of the following, No. 1, is from a well cultivated plantation near Cambridge, Abbeville. No. 2, 
is from Dutchman’s Creek, Fairfield; and No. 3, from an exhausted field about 18 miles south of 
Yorkville. 
No. 1. No. 2. No. 3 
Organionnaniere= seen ee eee eee TCO OSE os ees) 2.20 
Silicays eepke eee hrs ou _ a eeteereteet AS 30Lee2c8 3O00kFe=5= 69.00 
Aluinina geese es so ee LOS hee aoe PSS see 16.60 
Oxidetoisiron, ss s< == ae = are Bid Oba 6202 eae 20 
Whine ee eee a ee ee ee 410082022 300222 - 2.00 
IM@onesiate S28 5... ae ee —— trace seeeee 0.50 
Rotashandi soda. 5252) 52.22 ee 0.90.--.- - 0502s eae a 
Iehosphate of lime, =_---- --easeeee OO = sae ErACe = ee 
Water and losse io: #0 esi Ss eee S89L Sas (Se) Oe See 2.50 
100.00 100.00 100.00 
So great is the effect of a judicious culture on these soils, that scarcely any correct idea can be 
formed of their fertility, from their chemical composition. 
