272 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. [1569, 570 



569. Bored and Artesian Wells of Monroe and Lowndes. — Between Camargo 

 and Richmond, wells vary from 80 to 120 feet ; the water rises only 15 to 20 

 feet. The most northerly artesian well of which I have any knowledge, is 3 

 miles N. of Camargo ; depth 200 feet, water rises 2 feet ahove the surface. At 

 Camargo, in a well 280 feet deep, water rises to within GO feet of the surface. 

 Between Camargo and Aberdeen, on the W. side of the Tombigbee, the depths 

 vary between 2 to 500 feet (the public well at Aberdeen being 512 feet deep) ; 

 the water rises to within GO feet and less, and flows out at Aberdeen, and thence 

 to Columbus ; there being numerous artesian wells In the Tombigbee hommock 

 (1[535), in which, from the low level at which they are situated, the depths are 

 sometimes much less, and the pressures greater, than in those on the high lands 

 of the W. side — the depth being sometimes within 200, and rarely exceeding 

 300 feet ; and the pressure being mostly sufficient to form handsome fountains. 

 It is evident, however, from the variability of depths in localities similarly 

 situated, that several water-bearing strata contribute towards supplying these 

 wells, with streams of different strength and composition ; which cannot be 

 surprising, in view of the great irregularity in the stratification of the Eutaw 

 Group, from which these waters are derived (Hl02, 106, 155). The public 

 well at Columbus (371 feet deep), and others situated on the ridge, are 

 obviously derived from the same stratum as those in the hommock, inasmuch 

 as, a short time since, when a nine inch bore (intended to supply a tanyard) in 

 the lower part of the town, gave vent to a large volume of water, all the wells 

 on the ridge ceased to flow, but were restored when the large vent was partially 

 closed. Most of the artesian waters at Columbus and Aberdeen are somewhat 

 chalybeate, and often sulphureous also (if 156). 



570. I regret that want of space precludes me from entering more fully upon 

 the details of this important sul ject, which will be given in a subsequent Report. 

 As we recede westwardly from the Tombigbee, the depths of wells rapidly 

 increase ; the prairies beingan elevated plateau (HT22, ff.), and the we'ls rarely 

 sunk to the strata which supply the Aberdeen and Columbus wells, their water 

 does not often flow out, but only comes to within available distance of the 

 surface. A remarkable local exception occurs in the case of Dr. Ellis' artesian 

 well, on the Chuckatonche, S. 12, T. 17, R. 5 E., which yields a strong stream 

 at 246 feet, and is the only one of the kind, so far as I know, on this meridian. 

 At Palo Alto, a bore of 500 feet passed through the Rotten Limestone into sand, 

 bringing the water within 70 feet of the surlace. 



At Pikeville, a bore of 614 feet brought the water to within 23 feet of the 

 surface ; whether a deeper bore has since brought the water to the surface, I 

 have not learned. At Buena Vista, a similar rise was obtained at a correspond- 

 ing depth, allowing for the westward dip. 



Mr. Dexter's well, on Kilgore's Ridge, has been mentioned above (1J123). 

 At the E. foot of the ridge, there are several wells yielding a copious supply of 

 fine water— thus Wm. G. Carradine's, S. 24, T. 15. R. 5 E. (H537 feet deep, 

 water within 41 feet of the surface), which in summer, alone supplies several 

 plantations, even with stock water. 



Near the W. edge of the prairie region (in S. Chickasaw, Ocktibbeha, Noxu- 

 bee and Kemper), as has been mentioned (11122), wells require to be sunk 

 to great depths — 800 to 1,000 feet, and more ; and then, the first stream struck 

 does not generally rise more than within available distance of the surface; 

 though if the bore were continued to greater depths, a flow might be expected. 

 At Macon, at a depth of 760 feet, I bel eve, artesian water has been obtained. 



Data regarding the wells at Houston and Sparta have been given above (1fl22, 

 157) ; at these places, the chances of artesian water would probably lie between 

 1200 and 1500 feet. The shallow well at Okalona has been mentioned ; there 

 can be little doubt that a bore between 300 and 600 feet would bring a copiouf 

 supply, perhaps of artesian water. 



