Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-03-17

We have been kindly permitted, BY Gov.
Reid, to lay before our readers the following !.
interesting letter from Prof Emmons, State
Geologist
GoLDsBoRoUGH, March g, 1852.
Tohis EreeAency. Dovid s. Reid
SIR In view of the Improvements which
are in progress on Cape Fear river, and also
in expectation of finding deposits important
to the agriculturists upon its bank. and in the
upper country on Deep river, | deemed it
proper and best to make explorations on
its course and banks while its waters were
low. | have. accordingly, made numerous
examinations of the formations on this river,
and am able to state facts of considerable
Importance as to its geology, but more par
%ticuIarly of the deposits mari which abound
upon its banks, and at a distance from its
course.
Probably no substance has been discover
ed which is SO important to the interest of
agriculture of the lower Counties of North
Carolina, as mari. The lands, especially those
in which and predominates, have been worn
out might, perhaps, say more than once.
Now 1t is by means of mari employed as the
basis of a fertilizer, that these lands may be
cheaply renovated. On the poorest, howev-
er, of these lands it is not to be expected that
this substance can supply all that is wanting
to impart to them their original fertility; mas
much, as in the progress of long cultivation
and the production of a variety of crops, the
soil is exhausted Of those elements which
mari by itself does not contain.
There are two kinds of mari upon Cape
Fear river. One is known asshell mari, and
belongs rather to the upper parts of the riv-
er, or | may rather say it is in thicker beds
at distant points from the ocean. The other
mari is known as the blue mari, and is found
at points nearer the ocean than the former.
The she'll mari reaches to a point at least
t twelve miles above Elizabethtown, and is
usually we'll exposed at different points on
the banks of the river. So, also, it is often
met with in ravines at points distant from the
river. Hence it becomes more accessible to
planters and requires less expense in hauling
it. These beds vary considerably in extent
}. Some are visible one-fourth of a mile on the
: banks others appear to have been deposited
in insulated particles. Their thickness varies
from a foot to seven feet. They are not con
; ~tinuous deposits. The composition Of the
: shell mari is TO the eye calcareous, varying
however, from very sandy mari toa perfec
II lime deposit-consisting of carbonate of lime
n Many analyses should be made of this mari
as it is only in this way that its real value cal
be determined.
The blue mari is a different substance from
the shell mari. 1t is, by the way, the substanc
n known as the green sand, inNew jersey, ant
has long been IN use there and to the yer,
great advantage Of farmers. II belongs t
the cretaceous formation Of Geologists. TIL
upper bed Of this mari | now believe extend
t. above Elizabethtown. 1t is, however. quit
sandy, and | was unable to find at this poin
n its characteristic fossils. Farther down til
y bluff, found in what | now regard as tn
upper green mari, the characteristic fossils
ly the Erogyne costata and at Sykes landin
the BeLenanite. At Black Rock, however, tn
le lower green mari is in great force, and | b.
heve at many other points it would be cas-
to expose it, SO that an inexhaustible supply
this substance might be obtained forthe u:
Of Planters on the Cape Fear and Deep river
From the foregoing it will probably |
no perceived that the banks Of the Cape Fea
and the numerous runs which enter it frol
a. the South, are rich in these fertilizers ar
it only requires an additional spirit of in
or proyement on the part Of the Planters,
Fir double the products Of their plantations.
ire is proper to observe here that the mari d
nd posts are found mainly on the left or Sou
III bank of the river. I am well satisfied tn
'on the time is not distant when these rich d
~ posts will be fully employed, and that the
value will be we'll understood. 1t is true tn
RS experience will be necessary to determil
some points in its use. For instance, Il
most economical mode of preparing it in {
zoe der to adapt it to the varieties Of soil
oh which it Is proposed to employ it. The bl
M mari especially requires an analysis in ord
to determine its composition. The Jers
in mari contains potash, and this substance
of regarded as the principal fertilizer in it a
| hope it will be found that potash and al
phosphate Of lime are elements of the ma
on of this State. These two are the expe
on sive fertilizers, and are above all others
30 be sought for, for without them the cere;
Gbt would cease to produce perfect seed.
5ss- | have not attempted to give a detail
20 account of our examination upon the Ca
Fear, but simply a statement of a few fa
ed, which l supposed might be interesting
by your Excellency, or SO far as to satisfy y
or that the work IS in progress. am pleas
with the attentions and intelligence of t
gentlemen whom | have met, and the
c%ilities which all wish to render, and esp,
raw tally the anxiety which is manifested in
- gard to the work. l am sometimes ratl
10. distracted to know where to 90, the appli
tons for examinations being so numerous,
Most respectfully, your ob't. serv't.
81 E. EMMONS
the It is evident that Prof. Emmons attac
the much importance to these marl-beds; &
nee we hope his opinion may have the effect
I IL l. a. D