386 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. [1870, 871, 872 



So near the beach, one might suppose that the sea-water had some 

 part in effecting this rise ; but the Coast-Survey soundings show 

 the existence of the impervious clay stratum at the sea-bottom, all 

 along this coast ; besides, the mineral water of Mrs. McRae's well 

 is very different in composition from sea-water. It is not impossi- 

 ble, therefore, that artesian wells, most likely yielding mineral 

 water, might be obtained on the sea-coast at the proper (not very 

 great) depth. 



The character of the strata renders boring easy, and it might be well worth 

 the while of some of our enterprising dispensers of sea-shore air to refugees 

 from the cities, to try the experiment. Artesian fountains would certainly be 

 a great addition to the beauty and attractions of the rural palaces of Pascagoula, 

 Mississippi City, Pass Christian, and Bay St. Louis. 



870. The character of the mineral waters of the Coast is generally that of 

 saline chalybeates, with more or less sulphuretted hydrogen, and some carbonic 

 acid. The iron exists in them, partly in the state of sulphate (copperas), partly 

 as the carbonate. Chloride of Sodium (common salt), Chloride of Magnesium, 

 and Chloride of Calcium, are present in all that I have examined ; to these is 

 sometimes added (e.g., in Mrs. McKae's well-water, and that of a mineral spring 

 on the land of Mr. Alfred Lewis, "West Pascagoula), Sulphate of Soda, or Glau- 

 berls salt. Few are entirely free from sulphuretted hydrogen ; some (e. g., one 

 of the Ocean Springs waters), are strong sulphur waters. In many cases, 

 however, the taste of decaying vegetable matter (the smell of the "black mud "), 

 predominates over all the rest. Such is the case with the waters dripping from 

 the gray and black clay bluffs containg cypress trunks, on Wolf Eiver (1T249), 

 and, according to report from others, in the wells dug near the Bayou Bernard, 

 in Mr. Bell's neighborhood, six to ten miles above Handsboro' (TT248.) 



871. The Islands. — Ship Island is the only one of the islands 

 of Mississippi Sound, which I have personally visited ; it is said, 

 however, to be a pretty fair specimen of all the rest, with the 

 exception of the Chandeleur Group, which are said to be different 

 in character, and quite productive. 



At the East End of Ship Island, we find a bar of white sand, about a mile 

 and a half long by J£ wide, little elevated above tide-water ; storm tides always 

 sweep over it, and hence it is strewn with sea-shells. It bears no vegetation 

 save a few tufts of grass, and small patches of a species of Stone-crop. 

 Further west, the ground becomes more elevated, and the " Pitch pine " 

 appears, with an undergrowth of Dwarf Palmptto (Rabnl imsmmm), stunted 

 Live Oak, and three or four kinds of undershrubs, not found in bloom. The 

 Prickly Pear, also, is occasionally seen. Such is the growth on the ridges, which 

 rise 10 to 25 feet above tide level ; between these extend small marshes, mostly 

 covered with the Kound-rush ; their water is very brackish. The soil is scarcely 

 anything but a white sand, without any coherence, save where it is matted 

 with roots. 



At the West End, near the fort and light-house, vegetation is somewhat 

 better ; the grass (chiefly Panicum and Paspalum) sufficient to sustain a number 

 of cows, the milk of which is of excellent quality. With the aid of manure, the 

 light-house keeper has raised good vegetables in his garden ; which is a great 

 deal more than these white sand ridges promise at first sight. Water is readily 

 obtained in the level spots by digging a few feet, or sinking a barrel ; it is so 

 nearly fresh, even within 30 yards of the beach, that those accustomed to its 

 use, do not seem to notice the slight brackishness which is apparent to the 

 visitor. — The pines average 35 to 45 feet in height, and are about 6 inches in 

 thickness. 



872. Such appears to be, with little variation, the character of 



