Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1852-04-21

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SiR; + have the honor to inform you. Excellensy
That Immediately on reeeiyiug your INSTRUCTIONS
proceeded 70 Caeret Connty, and entered as soon
possible upon the examination Of the open ground
PraiIie belonging to the State In otdef to qualify
myself the better te give opinion respecting this
mafkabe variety of soil. have examined similar soils
wherever ] could find them, especially where they
have been under cultivation. Notwithstanding have
pursued this couIse am not ready TO report in full,
inasmuch ~ have not been able to make analysis
OF the specimens of soils have taken. will, how.
ever, express my views far they have been form
ed. and then as soon possible furnish you with the
These lands are situated in the peighborhood Of
Beaufort: They lie between Wand's Greek and the
North River at the northeastern terminus. entered
upon them At the head Of Wards Greek. My land
ing was near what is called Chinquepin sidge which
leads directly TO them towards the North. Ii termin-
ates in belt of Prickly evergreens some eighty rods
In BREADTH These evergreens gradually diminsh to-
wards the open grounds, though they do entirely
disappear. The grass increases as these diminish.
and finally at about the distance Of half mile the
open grounds propera are reached. This open ground
10y at Newbern and Beaufort and the surrounding
country four days prior to my visit there had been
hall OF snows P1evioas which there had been also
heas! rain. There were places slightly elevated.
which were comparatively dry. Numerous small
pools of water are scattered the ground, which
Sre supposed to have been made by deer breaking up
the turf and moss.
,Ibegan my examination at the outer rim Of these
grounds in the belt occupied by the brers. The fol-
lowing results obtained bv numerous soundings,
4f Job
characteristics obtained accorded with those have
given:
No. l. Chinquepin ridge. Depth Of soil 81 feet,
consisting of vegetable matter mixed with saad and
clay. bottom hard, though sandy. 2: Evergreens.
a Win nns
with sand. 4. feet, vegetable with very triAing
quantity of sand. S. Depth feet and no bottom,
vegetable matter. 6. feet do. Z. 8 feet, and at
the depth of ~ feet logs. 8. 10 feet, much the
preceding, .. Sounded y feet. no bottom, some
sand and clay mixed with the vegetable matter. 10.
u and no bottom. IL. 81 feet of vegetable matter.
The preceding soundings carried me fully into the
open grounds, where the surface is grass and moss
at its roots. IL. 81 feet. vegetable matter. ssmaIl
quantity Of sand and clay intermxed Is. feet DO.
II. feet, struck clay. ls. 6 feet, bottom sandy.
l9. do. 20. feet and logs 81 feet. ...., ~ +.
1T will be observed from the foregoing that the
depth Of soil is at least 81 feet consisting mainly
Of vegetable matter. changed into black Sub.
stance inteEmixed with living roots. The bottom is
sandy and hard and difficult to be penetrated by the
sound. l continued my examination tor long time,
until indeed satisfied myself and the gentlemen who
accompanied me, that the tract is uniform. some Of
them having seen the same characteristics at more
distant points still.
The impression which has been made upon my mind
respecting this tract is favorable upon the whole.
That is when thoroughly drained it will be produc-
tive OF the feasibility Of draining it have not the
least do,bt. The water flows from it with quite a
ripple at some places. into Wards Creek.
This opinion Of its value is founded upon the fact,
lst, that it has produced trees, trunks Of which re-
main. Now if soil has fer,ilizing matter sufficient
to bear and mature trees with their leaves and fruit,
it is fair inference that it will produce In tfe
grass with which IL covered there are scates Of the
alkalies. In the leaves and seeds Of fruits have
the phosphate of lime, iron and nagnesia. 1t is true
that in the stumps Of the bay which scattered
the ground it is supposed we have the indications OF
cold acid soil, yet If so, draining becomes effec-
tsal remedy. The whole tract is cold and bleak now,
from the great extent of evaporatng surface. end.
have examined lands of this character which have
been quite productive for l6 years. though there il
this difference, the latter evidently contain more sand
but 1t is coarser than that Of the open grounds; still
wish to determine the amount of actual soil. sand
and clay etc., which this vegetable matter contains be-
fore shall feel confident of certain results.
feel that it is very desirable that these lands should
be reclaimed. They are situated in very favorable
position, easily accessible and should they prove as
productive as the Hyde County lands. would urnist
more corn annually than the whole State of New
York ever produced. But do not expect they will
be productive though that the ou,ef rim will b,
have no doubt where it is bearing the thickest o
the bramb1es. The, State may very properly take Z
prospective view of the matter. Draining will es
sentially change the soi-he surface will sink ant
the whole mass will become compact and more solid
and WILL in process Of time al least, be fitted for sue
cessful cultivation.
am sir, most respectfully,
f. EMMONS.