NORTH-CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 31 



the growth is healthy and vigorous ; a few very large, long bodied poplars ; 

 some maples, corresponding in appearance, as regards size, &c., with the 

 gums above described ; cypress trees, averaging from 8 to 10 in number 

 per acre, from two and a half to four and a half feet diameter at the stump ; 

 one hundred feet to the limbs, straight bodies, small bulky tops, limbs not 

 drooping but erect. I have none of this land in cultivation, but have just 

 commenced to reclaim it. My opinion is it will be found equal in produc 

 tion to the lands on the south-side of Matamuskeet lake. 



On a farm laying on said lake that I once owned I have made one hun 

 dred and fifteen bushels of indian corn per acre, and thirty bushels of wheat 

 per acre. I think this last described land, No. 4, with perfect drainage 

 and judicious cultivation, will produce as much as the Matamuskeet lake 

 land spoken of; appearances, however, may be deceptive. 



I have been, for a period of forty years, engaged in reclaiming and cul 

 tivating swamp lands, such as I have described, and have found it a profit 

 able business. I am located near the margin of the sw^amp, (of which my 

 plantation is a part;) it contains about 30,000 acres, and is south of my re 

 sidence. The health of my family, white and black, will compare favorably 

 with the healthiest locations in eastern North-Carolina. 



We have, as you are aware, large bodies of rich swamp lands in this 

 portion of the State. Within a few years wealth and population has 

 flowed, and is still flowing in upon them, which promises the happiest re 

 sults to the good Old North State. Rich swamp land, like almost every 

 thing else, will show after a while the effects of bad treatment, but fortun 

 ately for us, if we impoverish our land by severe and injudicious cultiva 

 tion, we have in close contiguity inexhaustible supplies of shell marie, 

 which has proved itself a panacea to worn down swamp land. Guano and 

 the other manures in common use produce as fine, perhaps a better effect, 

 on swamp land than any other description of land of which I have any 

 knowledge. I fear, sir, I have taxed you too severly ; the interest I feel as 

 a citizen of the eastern part of the State I mention as my justification. 

 Should you wish more specific information than I have given, it will afford 

 me pleasure to furnish it. 



Such is my great aversion to writing, I have been compelled to enlist 

 the aid of my daughter, Mrs. B., who is now with me. You will perceive 

 that a lady has been my amanuensis. 



Most respectfully, 



WILL. A. BLOUNT, SEN K. 



From the foregoing communication the reader will be pre 

 pared to form a correct opinion of the character of the swamp 

 lands referred to, especially when taken in connexion with 

 their composition as determined by analysis. 



No. 1. On being exposed for a few weeks to the air be- 



