128 Kotices of the Floridas, ^c, _ 



of these basins were probably at a remote period, beds of 

 lakes, and have been gradually filled up by clay, sand, and 

 Vegetable mould washed from the hills. 



The soil of the pine barrens, situated in the interior is 

 almost uniformly fine sand with a thin dressing of vegeta- 

 ble earth, and sufficiently compact for roads. In some 

 places ilfests on clay, but generally at a considerable depth. 

 Most of the hammocks of the rollmg region are dry, the 

 "Stirface'Soil sand, blended with various portions of mould 

 ahd clay, with a sub-soil of compact earth or clay, situated 

 from one and a half to three feet from the surface. On 

 some of the hills, the earth has a limestone basis. The 

 dry hammocks of Florida have less vegetable mould on the 

 surface than the northern forests — this probably arises from 

 the rapid decomposition of vegetable deposites in warm 

 moist climates, and the porous nature of the soil. A large 

 growth of timber, particularly where there is much ash, 

 gum, and magnolia, is regarded as a sign of good land ; but 

 it is sometimes deceptive. T have found by boring in ap- 

 parently good hammocks, pure sand to the depth of four 

 feet resting on a compact basis, to which the roots of trees 

 could penetrate and find ample support from the vegeta- 

 ble mould and water there arrested, but lies too deep for 

 planters crops. 



It is probable that most of the hammocks, hickory and 

 oak elevations, have a retentive soil sufficiently near the 

 surface to encourage the planter in manuring to form rich 

 sugar grounds. 



Much of the good dry pine land having a basis of clay 

 may produce profitable crops of sugar and cotton, if the 

 soil is ameliorated by mineral, vegetable, or animal manure — 

 a dressing of clay, or any compact earth, would be benefi- 

 cial. Good marl is found in many places. Rich mould 

 and grass can often be procured from adjacent savannas or 

 the ground enriched by penning cattle. 



The sugar crop will be of sufficient value to authorize ex- 

 tra expense in manuring. The heavy duty on foreign 

 sugar operates as a bounty on its domestic production. 

 The Big hammock near the Indian reservation, containing 

 about 20,000 acres, from its climate and soil, will support 

 the best sugar plantations in Florida. 



