. NORTH-CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 39 



wear out in the life time of man ; they require no manures, 

 they are easily tilled, and they produce large crops annually, 

 and besides are less affected by droughts ; or, in other words, 

 the corn crop is more sure and certain than upon up lands. 



Where there are large continuous tracts as in Onslow, Jones, 

 Hyde and Beaufort, a systematic plan of drainage should be 

 undertaken. This should be based upon a topographical 

 survey of the whole tract, ascertaining first the area and its 

 irregularities, if any, then the regular slope and the most 

 feasible points to which the drains and canals should run. If 

 a main canal can be cut which will take water sufficient for 

 boat navigation, it should be regarded as an important means 

 for transportation. It is surprising that swamp lands hold so 

 much water so that most of the largest tracts of pocosin 

 lands furnish a sufficiency for this purpose. 



The earthy matter in the pocosin of Onslow is very fine, 

 and of drab color, in which respects it is similar to the best 

 lands of Hyde. 



It is evident also from an inspection of the results of this 

 analysis, that there is a full supply of lime, and of the more 

 .expensive elements, and hence it may be expected that when 

 these lands have been brought under full cultivation by 

 thorough drainage and other means necessary to favor the 

 growth of the cereals, that farms or plantations as valuable as 

 any in North-Carolina, will be formed out of this desert 

 swamp. The determination of the high value of this part of 

 Onslow I consider of great importance ; for there seems to 

 have been hitherto great backwardness in attempting to re- 

 claim the lands of "White Oak desert. It is true the under- 

 taking is a formidable one, but the rich results which will 

 certainly be secured thereby fully warrant the undertaking. 



23. The character of the gallberry lands require also 

 new investigation. These have usually been regarded as 

 worthless. They are usually flat and wet, and hence the 

 temperature of the surface is always too low for the vigorous 

 growth of the most valuable trees : aside from this fact it is 

 probable that the soil is really poor and unfertile, and no 

 measures within a reasonable expense could be employed to 



