4 SOILS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. 



In view of these distinctions it is readily seen why Meadow is 

 frequently occupied even in its natural condition for some agricul- 

 tural uses, while, on the other hand, the Marsh and Swamp in their 

 natural condition may only be used for grazing of the natural grasses 

 which may grow upon them, while tilled crops may be grown only 

 when artificial drainage has been installed. 



CHARACTERISTICS OF SOIL AND SUBSOIL. 



The actual surface material comprising the soils of Marsh and 

 Swamp varies with the different areas and in the different portions 

 of the same area. In the case of the majority of areas of Marsh oc- 

 curring upon the uplands, the soil to a depth of 2 inches to several 

 feet is a mass of partly decayed organic matter, thoroughly satu- 

 rated with water. Underneath this is found a subsoil material con- 

 sisting frequently of compact claylike material in the deeper and 

 more centrally located portions of the area, or of sandy, gravelly, or 

 stony loam material near the borders, particularly in the glaciated 

 region. The subsoil material universally is somewhat similar to the 

 mineral matter of the upland soils. It is usually gray, ash colored, 

 or blue, through the lack of drainage and oxidation, which gives 

 characteristic color to well-drained upland soil. Even within nar- 

 row limits the surface soil or the subsoil may change rapidly in 

 characteristics in all areas of Marsh. 



In the case of Tidal marsh there is usually not so great a variation 

 either in the surface or subsoil material. In the majority of cases 

 the surface soil consists of a matted, partly decayed mass of eel- 

 grass turf and roots, through which the living roots of growing eel- 

 grass penetrate. This material is usually filled with a gray or drab 

 silt or silty clay and constitutes a mingled mass of partly living and 

 partly dead organic matter, well filled with finely divided mineral 

 matter. This material grades downward into soft slimy mud or 

 clay, which constitutes the main part of the subsoil. In some in- 

 stances where the Tidal marsh lies to the leeward of sand dunes or 

 coastal beaches the wind has carried fine or medium sand out upon 

 the surface of the marsh to considerable distances, and in such cases 

 both the surface soil and the subsoil are usually a sandy loam. In 

 all instances the Tidal marsh is subject to inundation by brackish or 

 salt water with each rising tide. 



Similarly there may be a considerable variation in the character 

 of the surface soil and subsoil of Swamp. In almost all cases the 

 surface soil is well filled with partially decayed organic matter, con- 

 sisting of the dead and decaying undergrowth, the leaves, branches, 

 and even trunks of trees which have grown upon the Swamp, and 

 other organic matter which has been formed from mosses and the 

 minor growth found in such wet and cool places. This material is 



