1573, 574, 575] analyses of flatwoods soils. 277 



Insoluble Matter 93.575 



Potash 0.254 



Soda 0.006 



Lime , 0.082 



Magnesia 0.175 



Brown Oxide of Manganese 0.111 



Peroxide of Iron 1.445 



Alumina 2.605 



Phosphoric Acid 0.008 



Sulphuric Acid trace 



Organic Matter and Water 1.333 



99.653 



573. In comparing the analyses of these two soils, it will be perceived that 

 the difference between them in a chemical point of view, is no less striking than 

 that which exists in their physical properties. The light soil (No. 165) is a poor 

 one in all respects — deficient in all the nutritive elements of plants as well as 

 in vegetable matter ; for the loss of weight of 1.333 per cent, which the soil 

 experiences by ignition, is due almost entirely to the expulsion of water. 



In this last named particular, the heavy soil (No. 230) resembles the other, 

 being likewise almost entirely destitute of vegetable matter ; the loss it experi- 

 ences by ignition, is mainly owing to the expulsion of water (viz : the water of 

 hydration of the oxide of iron and clay). But in all other respects, it differs 

 yery essentially from the light soil. It contains an amount of potash equal to 

 that of the best uplands, and even some of the prairie soils. Its supply of Soda 

 is rather small, but perhaps adequate. In Lime it is deficient, as compared with 

 other soils containing a similar amount of potash ; a circumstance directly con- 

 tradictory of the prevailing popular impression on the subject, it being frequently 

 said that the failure of crops on this soil is owing to an excess of lime (H370, fi\). 

 Of Magnesia, there is an abundant supply ; so also of Manganese, and of Iron. 

 Of Phosphoric and Sulphuric Acids, the supply is rather small, yet not so much 

 so as to render the soil unproductive, provided they be in an available condition. 

 [Compare, in this respect, the analysis of the soil of the Marshall County Table- 

 lands (If96, ff.), and others.] 



The most important chemical defects of this soil, therefore, consist 

 in its deficiency in Lime and Vegetable Matter, and to some extent, 

 in Soda and Phosphoric Acid. 



574. Cultivation of the Flatwoods Soils. — It would be 

 premature to assert, that the analyses of the two soils just quoted, 

 represent correctly the respective average composition of these 

 varieties of Flatwoods soils. The tract on which they occur is so 

 extensive, that perfect uniformity in the composition of its soils, is 

 not to be expected. It is highly probable, that neither are all the 

 light soils as poor, nor all the heavy soils as rich in potash, as the 

 specimens analyzed ; and analyses of the specimens collected in other 

 portions of the region, may yield results somewhat different. Yet, 

 from the great uniformity of character over the whole region of 

 the formation from which these soils arc derived, it is probable that 

 their general characteristics are pretty correctly represented by 

 the above analyses. 



575. A. The Light Flatwoods Soil. — As for the light soil, I am not aware 

 of its being in cultivation to any extent, save in N. W. Pontotoc, in the region 

 between Tallahatchie Mud Creek and Lubatubby. It has there been found, 

 that soil which at the time of the first settlement of the country would scarcely 



