WATER SUPPLY OF WEST FLORIDA. 
137 
growth, where not too wet, being saw palmetto and wiregrass. 
Land of this type is practically always underlaid at a depth of from 
eighteen inches to two feet by a stratum of sand more or less 
cemented with organic matter giving it a dark chocolate color. 
This stratum of sand becomes very hard during the dry season 
and interferes seriously with the free movement of soi! moisture. 
It is known as hardpan. Drainage will materially improve Ihe 
character of this land, and in fact the borders of the area where 
crossed by the numerous small streams that are cutting their way 
back into the uplands, exhibits a different type of soil the hard- 
pan and palmetto being largely absent and the soil well drained. 
Lying immediately south of Tallahassee is a section of country 
from one to three miles wide and fifteen to sixteen miles long which 
is very sandy and known as the “sand hills.” Although well drained 
by reason of the open character of the soil, it is doubtful if the 
actual elevation of the sand hills exceeds that of the level poorly 
drained land lying further west and referred to above. To the south 
the sand hills grade into level pine lands. 
Of the several soil types the light yellow sandy loams are very 
easily farmed and are excellent for trucking and other special 
crops as well as satisfactory soils for general farming. The red 
soils which are found extensively in the county are, by reason of 
their greater clay content, heavier soils and well adapted for general 
farming. They are found as already stated on the slopes and roll¬ 
ing lands, and when protected as they easily are, from excessive 
surface wash they have great endurance and are lasting soils. The 
slow removal of the top sands which constantly brings the red soils 
to the surface on the slopes permits the rapid renewal of the soils 
from the parent formation beneath, the new soil bringing with it 
new stores of plant food. In this renewal of the soil made possible 
by the removal of exhausted top soils is found the explanation of 
the great endurance characteristic of the red soils of this and sur¬ 
rounding counties. 
ELEVATIONS. 
There are but few points in the county the elevations of which 
have been determined. According to the records of the Seaboard 
Air Line Railway the elevation of the depot at Tallahassee is 83 
feet above sea level. The State Capitol building is about 115 feet 
above the depot, or approximately 200 feet above sea level. Some 
