278 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. [1576, 577, 578 



produce anything, will now bring average crops. The change, has heen attrib- 

 uted, and perhaps correctly, to the circumstance of the trampling of cattle having 

 rendered it somewhat more solid, and therefore less drouthy, and capable, to 

 some extent, of retaing manure. 



It is this last named particular especially, in regard to which this soil is most 

 faulty ; for being so poor both in clay and vegetable matter, it cannot retain 

 near the surface, within the reach of plants, any notable quantity of the nutritive 

 ingredients in a soluble condition (IT 378 ; 404). Hence the most valuable part 

 of stable manure, for instance, would, on this soil, be rapidly carried down 

 beyond the reach of the roots of plants. 



576. Where these lands adjoin the ridge, and sometimes for some distance in 

 the interior, wo find, not unfrequently, small ridges or islands, as it were, of 

 the red ridge soil (mingled more or less with the Flatwoods soil), which generally 

 form slight elevations above the general surface of the Flatwoods (l[337). 

 Generally we also find, for some distance around these patches, the red ridge 

 soil forming the subsoil. Such spots are readily recognized by the growth of 

 Hickory and Spanish (" Bed") Oak, which there mingles with, and sometimes 

 predominates over the Post Oak growth. 



Whenever this is the case, it is advisable to bring the subsoil to the surface 

 and to mingle it with the white soil as much as possible. The washings from 

 the red loam hills ought to be so regulated, as to distribute them over the sur- 

 face of the Flatwoods soil ; and as a general thing, ought to be mingled with it 

 wherever practicable without too much exposure. 



577. It is sometimes the case, that outcrops of the white Flatwoods clay 

 (see above, 11566), are to be found on elevations, or in the bluffs of branches in 

 districts where this light soil prevails. It is probable that this clay (which is 

 not properly a marl, as has been thought) would greatly improve the soil in 

 question, both by rendering it heavier and more retentive of manure and 

 moisture, and by adding something to its stock of fertility. For, although this 

 clay has not thus far been analyzed, the fact that the heavy soil which has been 

 formed out of it is rich in potash, indicates that the original material is similarly 

 constituted ; and it is probable that if it were applied in connection with some 

 burnt lime [which throughout the Flatwoods can be cheaply obtained from the 

 bordering hills (H"129 ; 151, ff.),] the artificial marl thus formed would so far 

 correct the soil as to render it capable of profitable culture, and suceptible of 

 permanent improvement, by manure. — Little good, however, can be expected to 

 accrue to this soil, from the application of lime alone. 



578. In regard to supplying the want of vegetable matter (which would not, 

 however, be so seriously felt after supplying the clayey part — 1[425), it must be 

 remembered that it ought to be applied either in the shape of green crops 

 plowed under during the wet season, or else, in a well decayed condition. The 

 soil is of itself so " open," that the introduction of undecayed straw or leaves 

 would be likely to injure it by rendering it still more so ; and the decay of dry 

 vegetable materials would be exceedingly slow under such circumstances [See, 

 in reference to this, what is said regarding the sea-coast sand-hommocks (l[860, 

 ff.) and concerning the use of pine straw, in the present Report, ^793, ff.]- The 

 vegetable matter, whatsoever it may be, would be advantageously composted 

 with lime and the Flatwoods clay, above referred to, and with stable manure, if 

 obtainable. In low spots, especially where the Huckleberry grows, this soil 

 would undoubtedly be much benefitted by underdraining. As a general thing, 

 however, it is abundantly drained, and sometimes too much so, by its own 

 porosity. 



Peruvian Guano, " Ammoniated Guano," and the like, would probably be of 

 little avail on this soil, in proportion to their cost. But " Columbian Guano," 

 ground bones, superphosphate of lime ; plaster composted with vegetable matter 

 or with stable manure ; and the clay marls of the adjoining marl regions, would 

 be well adapted to its improvement. 



