Oct., I860.] ELLIOTT SOCIETY. 31 



of the swamps. These swamps are the Heads of the Eiver. While these lands 

 were iu a state of Nature, the rain water was detained bj' the grass and under- 

 growth and the debris of the forest, upon the sui-f ace, so as to sink deeply into 

 the earth, while accumulating in sufficient quantity to run into and along de- 

 pressions to reach the Swamps, and ultimate^ the Rivers, and then was a long 

 time oozing out in depressions, ponds, branches, &c. , keeping up a suj)ply of 

 water to the Swamps. The quantity being sufficient in Cooper Eiver to keep 

 down the salt water to a point below the junction of the Eastern Branch with 

 the Main River. With the extension of the Cotton culture on the borders of 

 the great Swamps, the drainage thus necessarily carried off the water from 

 rains wiih great rapidity, the water runs off nearly as fast as it falls, the land, 

 exposed to the eva^wrating influence of the sun, is quickly dried, the Swamj^s 

 are soon enptied into the River, and much rain is necessary again to saturate 

 the dry surface before it accumulates sufficiently to run. In this way, although 

 the quantity of rain may not have been sensibly diminished by the destruction 

 of the forests, we can readily undeistand the effect upon the supj)ly of Fresh 

 Water to the River. 



If the views above stated are correct, the question arises, as to the possibility 

 or i^robability of increasing the supply of Fresh Water to Cooper River by 

 means of these subterranean streams from Santee River. Is it practicable hj 

 opening extensively, by removing the earth and Limestone around and about 

 these Springs, to increase the quantity of water which issues ? 



As one of the j^robable means of meeting a serious difficulty, it may be worth 

 the consideration of the jjarties interested. 



Our Marls are all soft or of very moderate hardness, the fissures in them 

 have been, in many instances, known to be hollowed out, by the action of water 

 running through them, so that the roof has become too weak to support the 

 weight of marl and earth above them, and have consequently^ broken in, form- 

 ing the Xiimestone Sinks and Fountains so common in the Limestone Region. 

 It is jirobalDle, therefore, that removal of obstmctions to the free egress of the 

 water at these Springs, by increasing the rush at the opening's and the quanti- 

 ty escaping, would soon enlarge the channels through which it is passing, and 

 thus increase considerably the supply to the River. * 



With the same view, it would be a good experiment for the Plantei-s to com- 

 bine and sink Artesian Wells into the Marl at various points, with the hope of 

 bringing to the surface some of these hidden streams, which, in comparatively 

 modern times, have formed the Limestone Sinks, so common in tlie country. 

 One such stream as that at Woodboo, discovered at a point where it could be 

 made available, would irrigate a thousand acres of Rice Land, which, by 

 the increase of value, by being made certain, would pay for the experi- 

 ments of the whole River. 



The cost of Artesian Wells will now be known, from the determination 

 of the City Government to sink another well in Charleston, under th»' di- 

 rection of Maj. Welton. His extensive experience, his knowledge now of all 

 the requuements, with the aid of a steam engine, will not only facilitate the 

 operation as to time, but wiU reduce the cost immensely. 



