NOETH-CAKOLINA GEOLOGICAL SUKVEY. 29 



ground in a good condition ; and hence, in the long term of 

 years, the profits of these rich lands greatly exceed those 

 which are only moderately so, naturally, and require every 

 few years an instalment of manure. 



20. The similarity in the composition of the soils and 

 lands surrounding Matarnuskeet lake in Hyde county is re- 

 markable. They are all eminently rich in vegetable matter, 

 and all are supplied with a sufficiency of fine earthy matter; 

 in which respect they differ greatly, as will be perceived 

 from the open ground prairie in Carteret county. The simi- 

 larity appeared so great that I have not multiplied analyses 

 of them. I have, however, specimens received from Gen. 

 Blonnt, from Beaufort county, which I have analyzed ; all of 

 which will go to show that there is an extension of similar 

 swamp lands of that direction in the county of Beaufort, 

 which I have submitted to analysis ; all of which go to prove 

 the extension of the Matarnuskeet lands westward, or of 

 swamp lands quite similar in composition to these justly cele- 

 brated soils. 



The soils which were collected by Gen. Blount were four 

 in number, and were taken from tracts, some of which had 

 been under cultivation several years, while others were com- 

 paratively new. 



After having submitted these soils to analysis, I stated to 

 Gen. Blount my opinion of the samples I had operated upon, 

 and requested a statement from him also of all the facts con- 

 nected with them which he regarded as of sufficient import- 

 ance to be made public. 



In reply to this request I received the following interesting 

 communication which I propose to incorporate with this re- 

 port. 



It should be stated, however, for the benefit of those who 

 are not acquainted with Gen. Blount's husbandary, that he 

 has been engaged in the successful culture of swamp lands 

 between forty and fifty years, and hence is amply qualified 

 to express an opinion respecting their productiveness and 

 value. 



The following is the communication referred to : 



