SOIL SURVEY OF THE OCALA AREA, FLORIDA. 247 
growth of broom sedge, as well as other sedges and grasses. There 
are some bodies that have a growth of water-loving trees, such as 
cypress, gum, magnolia, bay, cabbage palmetto', and others. In its 
lower-lying positions it also occupies flatwood's areas, which are dis¬ 
tinguished by the sparse and rather low growth of lomgleaf and 
shortleaf pine and an undergrowth of gallberry bushes. The scrub 
palmetto also 1 occurs, but is not prominent except on the higher parts. 
This latter growth is more characteristic of the associated Leon 
soils. Besides gallberry, broom sedge flourishes, as well as some 
other grasses and sedges. Areas of the type where the pine is re¬ 
moved are commonly referred to as “gallberry flats” and “flat- 
woods.” 
Largely because of its low-lying position and poor drainage, 
none of the Portsmouth fine sand is cleared and under cultivation. 
The depressed areas in ponds and along swamps would be difficult, 
if not impossible, to drain. The flat woods areas, while being only 
slightly above the depressed areas, might possibly be drained. This 
type of soil, thoroughly drained, would prove valuable for a variety 
of crops, not only general farm crops, but truck crops. For the 
latter it is especially well adapted. It is upon this class of soil that 
much of the trucking is done in the State. Celery, lettuce, onions, 
strawberries, cucumbers, and' some other crops would do well. In 
addition to being drained, this land would require irrigation to in¬ 
sure success, as vegetable growing is done during the dry season. 
Where drainage is practicable it would certainly be advisable to de¬ 
velop the agricultural possibilities of this soil type. Rather liberal 
applications of complete fertilizer mixtures would be necessary for 
good yields. Liming would also prove beneficial. 
The present value of this land is low, and there is no demand, for 
it on the market. 
SWAMP. 
Swamp includes those low-lying areas that are more or less cov¬ 
ered by water throughout the year and support a growth of water- 
loving trees. These are mainly cypress, but gums and other species 
are found. In hammocks in the Swamp magnolia, bay; hickory, 
and cedar are found, but in the larger and wetter swamps cypress 
is almost the only growth, many of the trees being of great size. 
The extent of Swamp is considerable, the largest areas being along 
the Withlacoochee River and around Lake Panasoffkee. There is 
