234 GEOLOGY OF ILLINOIS. 



in all the elements of fertility. Without under drains, however, it will 

 require much labor to bring it into a productive condition, and will need 

 to be subsoiled to as great a depth as it is possible to attain with the 

 plow. Though not naturally as productive as the first mentioned soil } . 

 which ranks equal to any in the State, it will, nevertheless, prove fully 

 equal to it for growing small grain, provided it is under drained. An 

 intermediate soil, which rants between that of the post oak flats and 

 the sandy loam, is known as the "gum laud," which, like the former, 

 requires ditching and draining to bring it into good condition. 



The foregoing soils have all been derived from the disintegration and 

 wearing away of the sandstones, argillaceous shales and calcareous 

 rocks of the Goal Measures ; but there is still another characteristic soil, 

 which occupies the greater portion of the county, that is composed of 

 yellowish tenacious clay and sand, with more or less rounded gravel and 

 small bowlders. On the highest points and on the low rolling land, the 

 drift soil has a depth varying from ten to twenty feet or more. This is 

 a good, strong soil ; but, owing to the tenacious nature of the clay which 

 forms its principal part, it, also, requires more or less draining. It is 

 particularly good for small grain and clover, and grows fine crops of 

 tobacco. Considerable attention is paid to the cultivation of the latter 

 article in Saline county, and there are large warehouses at Gallatin and 

 Ealeigh for the purpose of preparing the tobacco for shipment. 



Conclusion. — Saline county is rapidly filling up with immigrants from 

 other parts of the country and bids fair to be a populous and wealthy 

 county. The Yincennes and Cairo railroad runs nearly diagonally 

 through the center of the county, and will materially aid its commercial 

 prosperity by opening a market for its vast stores of fossil fuel. 



To Dr. Mitchel, of Harrisburg, and to the citizens of the county 

 generally, I here tender my sincere thanks for their kind assistance in 

 promoting the interest of the Survey. 



