312 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. [1672, 673 



somewhat in strength and composition. The analysis of the principal and best 

 known spring of the four (marked No. 2) gave the following result : 



Reaction strongly acid. 



Sulphate of Alumina ) /• ^lum ") 

 " " Potash ) ^ '' 



" " Magnesia (Epsom Salt). 

 " " Lime (Gypsum). 



Chloride of Sodium. 



Bicarbonate of Iron. 



The first four ingredients are contained in about equal proportions, the latter 

 two in smaller quantities. — Spring No. 1 differs from this only in the absence 

 of Iron ; both are of considerable strength. — Waters of a similar character are 

 occasionally struck in wells in N. Madison (1|180, ff.), where it is often difficult 

 to obtain water fit for daily use. 



The " Castalian Springs ", in Holmes county, have also acquired some 

 reputation. Of their character I am not informed. 



672. There are numerous other mineral and especially chalybeate, 

 springs and wells, which have acquired a local reputation ; such 

 as the chalybeate spring near Louisville, Winston county ; another, 

 and a mineral well near Pittsboro, Calhoun county ; a chalybeate 

 spring near Robina, Panola county ; Dr. Stalehane's Chalybeate 

 Spring near Grenada ; Sulphur Springs, Madison county ; and 

 many others, which will be more specially mentioned in a future 

 Report. Few neighborhoods in the State, in fact, are without a 

 mineral spring or well, of some kind — good, bad or indifferent. 



THE NORTHERN RIVER COUNTIES. 



073. The territory comprised in the above head, viz : the region 

 lying between the Mississippi River and its eastern bluff, above 

 the City of Vicksburg, I have not as yet examined, my endeavor 

 having been, in general, to attend first to those portions of the 

 State where the comparative poverty, or exhaustion of the soil 

 rendered the aid of science most immediately desirable. The soils 

 of the Mississippi Bottom will, of course, receive due attention in 

 the course of the Survey ; for although now deemed by many 

 inexhaustible, an examination of the several varieties, which seem 

 to be quite numerous, promises, not only important information 

 concerning their present treatment, but also the development of 

 important general truths in regard to the culture of the staple 

 ■which they produce in such luxuriant abundance. It is my intention 

 to devote some time to the examination of this interesting region 

 during the coming season, for which reason I prefer not to com- 

 municate the imperfect data at present in my possession. 



