THE SOUTHERN CYPRESS. OT: 
Within its natural geographic range, cypress occurs locally on 
quite widely different situations, all alike, however, in their swampy 
character. These may be grouped broadly under four classes, differ- 
ing chiefly in the amount and acidity of the water, and, to some degree, 
in the composition and texture of the soil. 
ALLUVIAL SWAMPS. 
Swamps traversed by rivers or creeks which fluctuate in height and 
carry considerable solid matter in suspension are classed as alluvial 
river swamps. The overflow lands of the lower Mississippi River are 
among the richest and deepest alluvial soils in the world. Other 
alluvial streams are the Peedee, Santee, Savannah, Apalachicola, 
and Mobile Rivers. Broad river deltas or estuarine swamps, occur- 
ring at the mouths of some of these, take the form of an intricate net 
work of narrow channels. The water is always more or less muddy, 
but because of its breadth and its closeness to sea level is subject to 
only slight seasonal fluctuations. Durimg the summer and fall the 
water in these swamps becomes stagnant and because of its acidity 
is rather unfavorable to tree growth. The continuous saturation 
of the soil and relatively slight fluctuation in depth of water are 
favorable to cypress seed germination. 
Cypress reigns supreme over extensive areas of the flat delta 
region of the lower Mississippi. The bayou or river is bordered on 
both sides by a natural levee, back of which comes a succession of 
sloughs and low ridges leading into a deep swamp often miles in 
width. Over theridges cypress gives way to oaks, red gum, ash, red 
maple, honey locust, hackberry, and a few less important hardwoods. 
The two forest types are represented graphically in figure 2, showing 
cypress confined mostly to permanently wet situations. Heavy 
cypress stands or ‘‘brakes”’ occupy the shallow lagoons and cut-offs 
of former river channels. Farther upstream the swamps of the large 
alluvial rivers are closely bordered by uplands which confine the 
water, causing deep inundation. Their surface is undulating and 
subject to complete overflow only during periods of high water. - As 
a rule these swamps are better drained and, superficially at least, dry 
during most of the growing season. Growth is good and the quality 
of the timber produced is excellent. 
NONALLUVIAL SWAMPS. 
These swamps are located at or near the heads of watercourses and 
along clear-water streams, fed mostly by seepage and springs. They 
have dark or coffee-colored but clear water and muck or peat soils. 
The Dismal and Okefinokee Swamps (fig. 3) and many river swamps 
in Florida are typical of this class, and the water carries little sedi- 
