320 



AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



[No. 6.] 



[7692 



Diagram illustrating Denudation in tlw " Bluff Formation. 



When we consider the great facility with which the brown loam is washed 

 down from the hills, while the calcareous silt is but slightly abraded under the 

 same circumstances, it cannot be surprising that the character of the former 

 should be predominant in the soils of the talus. The constant renewal of their 

 surface by the washings of the rich loam above, offers a ready explanation of 

 their longer duration ; while at the same time, the lime they receive from the 

 silt stratum, if exposed above, serves as a stimulant, developing their fertility. 



692. Cultivation of the Soils of the Cane Hills. — So far as 

 my information goes, the upland soils of this region, whenever 

 they are derived either exclusively or prevalently from the brown 

 loam stratum, are not characterized by any very striking peculiar- 

 ities ; in most particulars, they greatly resemble those of the Table- 

 lands of N. Mississippi (1616, ff.). When fresh they will produce 

 nearly or quite a bale of cotton per acre, and sometimes more ; 

 and a proportional amount (30 to 35 bushels) of corn. On the 

 whole probably they are best adapted to cotton, which is now the 

 prevailing crop ; but the character of the soil is such as not to 

 forbid the success of any crop suitable to the climate and to an 

 upland situation ; being, as a general thing, both " strong " and 

 " warm ". The brokenness of the surface, especially near the 

 Mississippi River, constitutes a disadvantage without which, few 

 portions of the State would rank higher as agricultural regions. 



