56 NORTH-CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



lands resemble the turf or peat soils of Canada and New 

 York, but the better kinds or those of Hyde, contain, inter- 

 mixed with the vegetable matter, fine earth, which gives 

 them a substantial body. In this respect they differ from the 

 peaty or turf soils of other places. They differ also in en- 

 durance. They continue productive through several genera- 

 tions. Those of Hyde have been tilled through three genera- 

 tions, and the fourth has them under culture. I attribute 

 this extended period of endurance to the temperature which 

 the soil enjoys. Below, in immediate proximity to the roots 

 of corn, the water remains through the season. Hence there 

 is a temperature preserved which is only moderately high in 

 the midst of summer, in consequence of evaporation. Even 

 the water often surrounds the hill of corn, and remains on 

 the surface for a long time, without injuring the growth of 

 the plant. The external heat is sufficient for the crop. If it 

 were higher it would slowly consume the vegetable matter. 

 Besides, the low temperature of these peculiar soils, the 

 proximity to the ocean, favors a constantly moist climate, or 

 atmosphere; and hence, through the influence of water be- 

 neath, and a moist atmosphere above, the growth of veget- 

 ables is promoted. 



In the midland counties the vegetable matter is consumed, 

 or so nearly consumed that the blackened belt at the surface 

 is never formed. Upon the mountains, the whole of the blue 

 ridge, vegetable matter accumulates in the soil. The heat is 

 insufficient to destroy it, while in the midland counties it 

 never accumulates even in forests, and though there is a large 

 annual addition of vegetable matter from the leaves which 

 fall in autumn and winter, still no accumulation takes place 

 in the soil. It is literally consumed. 



31. The pocosin and swamp lands present a great variety 

 in the proportions of vegetable matter present in the soil. 

 Some passing to the extreme limit, from 10 to 93 per cent, of 

 organic substance. The latter percentage is near the boun- 

 dary which limits the capability of growing the cereals. A 

 greater excess of vegetable matter scarcely admits of the 

 continued growth until the crop ripens, it soon ceases to grow, 



