SOIL SURVEY OF THE OCALA AREA, FLORIDA. 
245 
PORTSMOUTH SAND. 
The surface soil of the Portsmouth sand consists of 8 to 18 
inches of a black, loamy sand, high in organic matter, having in 
places almost the characteristics of muck. This changes abruptly 
into a drab or drabbish-gray to white sand, 36 inches or more in 
depth. In places a layer of brown sand, resembling coffee grounds, 
is encountered at varying depths. This layer represents the “hard- 
pan” stratum so common in Florida soils. The subsoil is always in 
a water-soaked condition. The sand is rather compact in its natural 
position, but is incoherent when disturbed, and, like the subsoil of 
the Portsmouth fine sand, tends to flow when dug into in a way re¬ 
sembling a quicksand. 
The areal extent of the Portsmouth sand is small compared with 
that of other types. It occurs in small areas scattered throughout 
the eastern part of the area, associated with the other soils of me¬ 
dium texture, being confined to depressed situations in the flat- 
woods; to sink-hole or basin depressions in the higher lands; and 
to the lakes and prairies of the area. These areas are all wet a large 
part, if not all, of the year. This condition favors the accumulation * 
of organic matter on the surface, and is in contrast with other ponds 
or depressions, known as “sand ponds” that do not hold water long, 
and thus do not afford conditions favorable for the accumulation of 
organic matter. 
The Portsmouth sand is derived from unconsolidated sedimen¬ 
tary Coastal Plain deposits. The dark-colored organic matter rep¬ 
resents simply the decomposing remains of vegetation. 
As this soil lies so that it is wet much of the time, and lacks 
drainage, it affords very little land for cultivation. Much of it 
would be difficult or impossible to drain economically. There are, 
however, some small areas in cultivation. Where it can be drained, 
either by ditches or tiles, fairly good results with certain vegetables 
may be expected. This same soil in developed sections of the State 
is successfully used for crops like celery, lettuce, cucumbers, and 
strawberries, but only a few small areas have been utilized in this 
survey. Those areas where drainage is practicable would warrant 
being put in condition for cultivation. This soil, wherever it ,occurs, 
is found to be sour or acid, and liming is necessary before it can be 
made to produce crops that do not thrive in acid soils. Under culti¬ 
vation this soil, especially where given clean cultivation, soon loses 
much of its organic matter by oxidation. Thus it is advisable to 
