NORTH-CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



would lead any one to expect on analysis unfavorable re- 

 sults. 



The upper bed has, however, been tested as a fertilizer, 

 and very excellent results have been obtained by its use. 



The field immediately adjoining the bed of green sand 

 had become so much exhausted that it produceed but three 

 barrels of corn to the acre. Its employment the first year 

 doubled the product of the field. The quantity employed 

 was about two hundred bushels to the acre. The stalks of 

 corn previous to its use were but little larger than the finger, 

 and about half as long as the common growth in this latitude. 



Previous to my last analysis of the marl of this locality I 

 had hopes that it was sufficiently rich and valuable for trans- 

 portation to the county of Chatham. If, however, on farther , 

 examination, beds can be found which contain from four to 

 six per cent, of potash, there is no doubt it may be freighted 

 in return boats to several points along the Deep river. 



66. The value of this species of marl is estimated from 

 the amount of potash and phosphoric acid which it contains. 



The price of marl in New Jersey is about eight cents per 

 bushel. A bushel weighs, when it is wet from the bed, one 

 hundred pounds. It loses, on drying in the atmosphere, 

 twenty pounds. 



The New Jersey fertilizer company deliver marl on board 

 of vessels at their wharf for nine cents per bushel, and the 

 white horse marl is delivered on the line of railroad, not ex- 

 ceeding ten miles from the beds or pits, for ninety cents, per 

 ton. The potash in the different beds of New Jersey varies 

 from two to seven per cent., very rarely as high as the last 

 figure. At the pits individuals pay for marl from twenty-five 

 to seventy-five cents per ton provided they perform the labor. 

 The value of the potash in marl has been estimated at four 

 cents per pound. Soluble phosphoric acid is estimated at 

 five cents per pound, and the insoluble at two. But this dis- 

 tinction is uncalled for, inasmuch as all the phosphoric acid 

 becomes available in time. The soluble, it is true, is more 

 rapid in its effects, and produces more immediate results : it 

 is no better for permanent improvements. Pro Way, chem- 



