THE SOITTHEKISr CYPKESS. 21 



Within its natural geographic range, cypress occurs locally on 

 quite widely different situations, all alike, however, in their swampy 

 character. These may be grouped broadly under four classes, differ- 

 ing chiefly in the amount and acidity of the water, and, to some degree, 

 in the composition and texture of the soil. 



ALLUVIAL SWAMPS. 



Swamps traversed by rivers or creeks which fluctuate in height and 

 carry considerable solid matter in suspension are classed as alluvial 

 river swamps. The overflow lands of the lower Mississippi River are 

 among the richest and deepest alluvial soils in the world. Other 

 alluvial streams are the Peedee, Santee, Savannah, Apalachicola, 

 and Mobile Rivers. Broad river deltas or estuarine swamps, occur- 

 ring at the mouths of some of these, take the form of an intricate net 

 work of narrow channels. The water is always more or less muddy, 

 but because of its breadth and its closeness to sea level is subject to 

 only slight seasonal fluctuations. During the summer and fall the 

 water in these swamps becomes stagnant and because of its acidity 

 is rather unfavorable to tree growth. The continuous saturation 

 of the soil and relatively slight fluctuation in depth of water are 

 favorable to cypress seed germination. 



Cypress reigns supreme over extensive areas of the flat delta 

 region of the lower Mississippi. The bayou or river is bordered on 

 both sides by a natural levee, back of which comes a succession' of 

 sloughs and low ridges leading into a deep swamp often miles in 

 width. Over the ridges cypress gives way to oaks, red gum, ash, red 

 maple, honey locust, hackberry, and a few less important hardwoods. 

 The two forest types are represented graphically in figure 2, showing 

 cypress confined mostly to permanently wet situations. Heavy 

 cypress stands or "brakes" occupy the shallow lagoons and cut-offs 

 of former river channels. Farther upstream the swamps of the large 

 alluvial rivers are closely bordered by uplands which confine the 

 water, causing deep inundation. Their surface is undulating and 

 subject to complete overflow only during periods of high water. As 

 a rule th<--<> swamps aro better drained and, superficially at least, dry 

 during most of the growing season. Growth is good and tho cpiality 

 of tho timber produced is excellent. 



NONAU.f/YIAJ, SWAMPS. 



These swamps are located at or near the heads of watercourses and 

 along elear-waf.er streams, fed mo llv by seepage and springs. They 

 have dark or coffee-colored hut clear water and muck or poat soils. 

 The Dismal and Okefinokee Swamps dig. 3) and many river swamps 



in Florida are typical of (his class, and the water carries little sedi- 



