284 AGRICULTURAL RErORT. [7595, 59b, 597 



the bottom of the well. In the former case, the water is sometimes 

 pretty good, though generally inclining to be magnesian. When, 

 however, the cretaceous marls have been reached, the water is 

 usually very limy. 



595. Where the heavy Flatwoods soil (1F566, ff.), prevails, it is 

 but rarely the case that water-bearing strata can be found at any 

 moderate depth, and before reaching the marl strata. 



The latter, as stated in the Geological Report, underlie the whole of the 

 Flatwoods Region, dipping W. or S. W. from its eastern limit, at the rate of 25 

 to 30 feet per mile. In the region to the N. of Houston, their upper strata, 

 as may be seen at numerous outcrops on the Pontotoc Ridge, consist of alterna- 

 ting ledges of rock and soft materials very variable in their character and thick- 

 ness ; sometimes clayey marls, sometimes almost pure sand (.11128, ft*.). On 

 the whole, water-bearing strata are very common in this uppermost portion of 

 the cretaceous formation ; and hence it is, that in the whole of this upper 

 Flatwoods region water is almost certain to be struck in bored wells, so soon as 

 the calcareous strata are reached. Of course the water thus obtained is usually 

 very limy ; if not so originally, it is certain to become so by standing in the bore, 

 in contact with the marl strata. Frequently too, it is sulphureous and chaly- 

 beate ; mineral waters of valuable properties have been repeatedly obtained, and 

 are in successful use in some neighborhoods ; although thus far, none of them 

 have become more generally known. The chemical nature of these waters, as 

 might be expected is on the whole the same as that of the natural springs yield- 

 ing mineral water, which are so common in some parts of the Pontotoc Ridge. 



596. The depth of these bored wells increases pretty regularly in some 

 regions, as we advance westwards from the Pontotoc Ridge ; and may often be 

 approximately ascertained by the rule above given, allowing 50 to 60 feet for the 

 depth of a well at the eastern edge of the Flatwoods. Since, as above observed, 

 the material of the limy strata is very variable, so that water is not always 

 obtained in the same stratum at different places ; since, moreover, the level of 

 the surface varies to some extent, and cannot be accurately compared ex cept by 

 actual leveling ; these calculations cannot of course, be anything more than an 

 approximation, say within 20 to 25 feet of the distance at which w ater is 

 actually obtained. Even thus, however, they are useful guides in p ractice. 

 Boring in these regions is generally easy, and no tubing is in most cases re quired, 

 the firm clays of the Flatwoods and the marls of the cretaceous being bu t little 

 liable to "cave". The ledges of rock which are struck, are usually of incon- 

 siderable thickness, averaging from 1 to 4: feet ; the thickest ledge of liar d rock 

 I know of (which requires to be pecked), in N. W". Chickasaw and adjoining 

 part of Pontotoc, being about 8 feet. Locally (if 152, ff.), limestone strata of a 

 more considerable thickness appear ; but I have not heard of their being struck 

 in bored wells. 



597. It is but during the last two years, that boring of wells has become more 

 common in the Flatwoods ; and when these borings shall have furnished a 

 greater number of data, we shall be able to foretell with greater accuracy the 

 necessary depth in other districts. The deepest wells to the westward in the 

 Flatwoods region of which I have any knowledge, are the following : 



S. 21, T. 5, R. 2 E., and neighborhood, Tippah county. Bored wells 300 feet 

 deep. Water rises to within 60 to 80 feet of the surface. 



Mr. Waltup's, S. 4, T. 11, R. 1 E., western edge of Flatwoods, sli ghtly 

 undulating. Well 448 feet deep ; water rises to within 75 feet of the surface. 

 The calcareous strata were first observed at 300 feet. 



Mr. Cannon's, S. 9, T. 13, R. 1 E., Calhoun county. Some distance in the 

 hills, W. from the edge of the Flatwoods. Well 404 feet deep ; water rises to 

 within 80 feet of surface. Calcareous strata first observed at 375 feet. 



Water is sometimes obtained before reaching any of the principal limestone 



