328 FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 
The color of this is usually reddish brown. Further decay results in 
the formation of a black organic mass in which the original structure 
and fibrous nature of the plant or vegetative remains are unrecog¬ 
nizable. There is usually present varying though small proportions 
of mineral matter. 
There is considerable variation in Muck as it occurs in Pinellas 
County. In depth it varies from a few inches to 3 feet or more, 
and the subsoil may be either a dark-colored fine sand or a black to 
drab fine sandy clay. 
A few of the areas mapped were recognized to be more properly 
classed as Peat than true Muck, but it was not found practicable to 
make the separation. These areas no doubt possess a lower agricul¬ 
tural value and are less desirable than the typical soil. 
Muck is found scattered throughout the survey in areas of vary¬ 
ing size. Several good-sized areas occur in the northeastern part of 
the county and west and northwest of St. Petersburg. These areas, 
from the prevalence of the bay tree, are locally called “bays.” The 
large area at Clearwater, known as the “prairie,” has only a scat¬ 
tering growth of myrtle and bay, with some clumps of the latter. 
The Muck surface of this area is very shallow in places, and there 
are some small knolls of sand which could not be shown on the soil 
map. There are also in the “prairie” some patches of deeper organic 
surface soil which catch fire and burn for considerable periods of 
time. Such patches are more properly Peat. 
Smaller bodies of Muck are numerous and many could not be 
represented on the map on account of their limited extent. These 
are called “bay heads,” on account of the tree growth and the fact 
that they are usually the source of small streams. 
Although 4,608 acres of Muck were mapped in Pinellas County, 
a very small acreage, is under cultivation. A few patches have been 
drained and used for crops, and on areas around the edge of some 
of the larger bodies vegetables and strawberries have been success¬ 
fully produced. Many areas could be profitably cleared and drained. 
The soil is well adapted to the production of celery, lettuce, onions, 
cabbage, carrots, Irish potatoes, corn, strawberries, and all garden 
truck suited to the county. At Sanford, Fla.. Muck is considered 
an excellent soil for the growing of celery, while at Hastings, Fla., 
it is held in high favor for the production of Irish potatoes. 
It is surprising that utilization of Muck has not received more 
consideration in Pinellas County. It is believed that with drainage 
