42 NORTH-CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



Silex, , 35.350 



Peroxide of iron and alumina, 10.85 



Organic matter, 37.50 



Water, 15.8 



Lime, 1.40 



Magneisa, 0.15 



Potash, , 0.10 



Soda, 0.15 



This soil was found to be much richer than I anticipated, 

 and on drying in paper, it retained a larger quantity of water 

 than I expected. If the composition had been obtained after 

 most of the water was expelled by heat, the proportion of 

 the elements of fertility would have been proportionally 

 greater. As the soil is composed, there can scarcely remain 

 a doubt of the value of these lands. The earthy matter is as 

 fine as that of the Onslow or Hyde county lauds, and its 

 quantity and condition proves, as it appears to me, the same 

 capability with them for a productive cultivation for a series 

 of years. Hence the cost of drainage should be incurred, 

 and these valuable lands reclaimed, inasmuch as they pay 

 better than the uplands. The extent of unreclaimed lands 

 of this description makes it still more expedient, inasmuch as 

 the general results are proportionately greater than when the 

 surface embraces only a few acres. 



The depth of this material is from eighteen to twenty-five 

 or thirty inches, but like the Onslow pocosin it is variable, 

 and like the latter also, the swamp abounds in islands, which 

 are frequently occupied by inhabitants who contrive to live 

 by basket making. The timber consists of cypress and black 

 gum, and various pines and oaks, which frequently attain a 

 large size, proving by the natural method a productive soil. 

 In passing through these low lands, the water is frequently 

 deep in the common highway ; sometimes it is due to the 

 prevalence of rains, in others it is produced by dams to ob-^ 

 tain a water power for mills. As it respects the practice 

 of maintaining mills in this low and half inundated country, 

 it seems to me to be inexpedient. It certainly prevents in 

 part the reclamation of these lands by drainage, and when it 

 is taken into consideration that steam power cannot be very 



