OF ARKANSAS. 33 
oak, and hackberry, besides the black-spice. This land lies generally 
lower, if anything, than the post-oak land. 
Near Driver’s farm, on the Cache bottom, a specimen was collected for 
chemical analysis, of the higher and dryer variety of oak land which sup- 
ports a growth of white-oak and gum, with only a few post-oaks. 
The best farming lands in Jackson lie between Village creek and White 
river, occupying a low ridge rising several feet above the adjacent flats, 
and elevated about 10 feet above high water of White river. It supports 
a growth of hickory, poplar, oak, and black walnut. It is on these lands 
where the principal cotton crops of Jackson county are raised, and where 
the wealthiest portion of the population is located.* 
Samples of this soil were selected for chemical analysis from two differ- 
ent localities; one taken from the vicinity of Jacksonport, from M. L. 
Robinson’s farm, the other from H. J. Dowd’s farm, 14 miles from Jack- 
sonport. 
The waters of White river were tested qualitatively; the sample 
being taken below the mouth of Black river. They were found to be soft, 
containing but a trace of earthy carbonates; as will be seen by consult- 
ing Dr. Elderhorst’s report. 
INDEPENDENCE COUNTY. 
In passing from Jacksonport up the valley of White river, to examine 
the locality of the so-called “black marble,” I traversed the “ Oil-trough 
Bottom.” This is a tract of very rich alluvial land, lying on the south- 
west side of White river, in the south-east part of Independence county. 
The fresh soil is very dark colored, even to the depth of five or six feet in 
some situations; the sub-soil being nearly as black as the soil, but more 
tenacious. This soil is particularly adapted for wheat. 
On 8. M. Cobb’s farm, where samples of this soil were collected for 
future chemical analysis, an average crop of wheat is considered thirty 
bushels, the grain weighing 64 pounds to the bushel. It is also good corn 
land, yielding, on an average, 50 bushels, and would, no doubt, be excel- 
lent for tobacco. 
The palma christi, or castor bean, grows here very large, and could, in 
all probability, be cultivated to great advantage, if an oil-press were 
established in the vicinity for the expression of the oil. The principal 
growth of timber on this land is pin-oak, red oak (yellow butt), water oak, 
* For further particulars in regard to this tract of land, see E. T. Cox’s report. 
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