168 
SOILS AND MARLS OF MISSISSIPPI.—THE SYCAMORE FIG. 
It is the yellow locust (robinia pseud-acacia) of 
which we speak. By keeping them well trimmed, 
they need stand but 10 feet apart, which would 
make 400 on an acre, and the value of the timber in 
twenty years would then be $20,000; or if the 
price of timber should fall, at least that of the first 
calculation above. 
SOILS AND MARLS OF MISSISSIPPI. 
We have received ten samples of soils from Mr. 
Thomas Affleck of Adams county, Mississippi, for 
analysis. We have been aided in their examina¬ 
tion by one of the best practical chemists in this 
city, and we here give the result in brief, thinking 
it would be more satisfactory to the public thus 
expressed, than clothed in the more elaborate and 
technical language of chemistry. We have given 
Mr. Affleck’s descriptions of these samples in quo¬ 
tation marks, so that he will be at no loss in un¬ 
derstanding our remarks upon them. 
“ A. Soil of the worn lands of the Natchez 
country. Original growth of forest, oak, hickory, 
magnolia, poplar, &c.” 
This soil is of a yellow sandy color, and con¬ 
sists almost entirely of silica (sand), and alumina 
(clay), together with a small quantity of vegetable 
matter, and a slight trace of oxyde of iron and 
lime. The best manure for this kind of soil, is a 
compost, spread broad cast, of swamp muck, or 
peat and lime mixed—three or four parts of the 
former, to one of the latter. Marls that abound 
with vegetable matter will be found highly bene¬ 
ficial, and stable manures of course. Any vegeta¬ 
ble composts made in the manner described page 
164 of this No., spread broad cast and well covered 
with the plow, yet not too deeply, would be found 
highly fertilizing. 
“ B. Subsoil from real magnolia land.” 
Similar in color to A, and essentially the same, 
with a trifle more of alumina and lime; probably 
enough of the latter to make vegetable matter 
soluble in it. 
“ C. Surface soil over B. Original growth, 
magnolia, poplar, with a few trees of the gum, 
mulberry, holly, &c.” 
Exactly like its sub-soil B, only containing more 
vegetable matter, and of course much richer. 
“ D. Surface soil over marl-bed E.” 
A reddish clay, something like C, abounding with 
lime in nodular masses. It partakes so much of 
the qualities of its subsoil, as to pass under the 
name of marl, though we should consider it here 
of a poor quality. 
“ E. A stratum of marl varying from 3 to 7 feet 
in thickness, intermixed with scattered lumps of 
F. Under this marl is an 18-inch stratum of G-.” 
This has a whitish clay appearance, and is poor 
marl, containing about 5 to 6 per cent, of carbonate 
of lime. It is a trifle richer than its surface soil D, 
and may be used with some benefit as a top dress¬ 
ing for other lands. 
“ F. Scattered lumps in E.” 
Good limestone, and is well worth burning. 
“ G. An 18-inch stratum under E.” 
A fine white sand with a slight trace of alumina. 
It possesses no fertilizing properties. Would be 
beneficial spread broad cast on stiff clay soils and 
plowed in, thus making them less adhesive to 
work. 
“ H. A stratum—how deep I did not examine. 
It is mixed with layers like G.” 
Essentially like F—a good limestone. Whether 
it will pay for burning and transporting the dis¬ 
tance spoken of, must be ascertained by making 
the experiment. 
“I. A singular-looking clay.” 
Essentially like G, with a slight addition of ox¬ 
yde of iron, which gives it the singular yellow 
color. 
“ No. 1 from bed of marl at Ingleside.” 
This is good marl, containing as near as we can 
guess, full 20 per cent, of lime. It effervesces 
strongly in muriatic acid, and will make an excel¬ 
lent top dressing for the plantation. 
If we find a good practical chemist willing to 
go to the south on the terms proposed, we will 
give the information. 
THE SYCAMORE FIG. 
(Fig. 40.) 
Since we have been able to acclimate the com¬ 
mon fig of commerce, we should think it would be 
equally easy, if not more so, to grow that of the 
