46 NORTH-CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



Carbonate of lime, 1.85 



Magneisa, trace, 



Organic matter, f .0$ 



Water, 2.20 



The phosphates and potash scarcely distinguishable in 200 

 grains. The sand representing the silex is rather coarse, 

 grains distinctly visible and rather angular. The color of the 

 mass is black, and it seems to be made up of fine vegetable 

 matter. It contains, as will be seen, a sufficient quantity of 

 lime and inorganic matter the former is derived from parti 

 cles of marine shells, sometimes of a large size, and it is 

 probable all the lime is coarse ; it effervesces with acids.&quot; 

 The silex, though large, is not in greater proportion than in 

 many productive soils. It would be regarded as a light soil, 

 though the vegetable matter might deceive one who has had 

 no experience in cultivating soils of this description. A soil 

 of this character presents two questions for solution : 1st, 

 whether its present or natural state will justify an expends 

 ture sufficient to make it fertile ? and 2d, if so, what course 

 should be adopted to secure the object sought for? My first 

 impression is that it cannot be made productive at all, in con 

 sequence of its composition. It has really only a base of 

 coarsish sand of considerable depth. Hence it is loose and 

 porous, and transmits all the water through it. Besides, it is 

 evident that there is a deficiency of alumina and all the most 

 expensive elements except lime, and the lime, instead of be 

 ing fine and in a condition to furnish to vegetables this neces 

 sary element, aids rather in giving it porosity, as it is in 

 coarse particles. But still, so far as this element is concerned, 

 the soil is well enough ; but in a combination or mixture 

 which is loose and porous, it is doubtful whether the neces 

 sary chemical changes do take place at all. considering the 

 nature of the tract of land, I believe the first step to be taken 

 towards its improvement would be to give it a heavy dressing 

 of clay, to change, if possible, its physical condition. Less 

 clay would be required, if one which is calcareous could be 

 employed ; for less would answer the purpose than if it were 

 pure. In order that chemical changes should take place, it 



