Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-03-19
THE aopEN GROUND PRAIRIE.

We make the following extract HoIA ZIG A'0POi"
&c Professor Emmons in relation to the "open
Ground Prairie :" in Carteret County. The Prof
essor's opinion here given concerning these lands
g NOT rs favorable as when he made his first ex-
animation: a.
1.-THE State of orth Carolina owns large tracts of
land in the Eastern Counties bordering the coast,
the soil of which is eminently of vegetable orgi in.
The tract which am to notice is situated in the
County Of Carteret and is known the Open Ground
Prairie. 1t is within six eight miles, North, OF
the town of Beaufort and contains $4,000 acres
In form is Oblong, being about twice as long as
broad, its longer axis extending E. N. E. on the
S. E. sde several creeks penetrate into it, or !atne
Gore Sound sends into three short arms Whlcn are
known as creeks. The 1st is Wards Greek; IND
Willis Greek; Sd, Oyster creek. At the extreme o.
E. border is the North river; opposite 10 "hiIni On
the other side is Adams Creek, and then SCUM NV
or The creeks and rivers are channels which render
access 10 the Open Ground more for 1t should
he known thai nature has fortified these grounds by
thckets of brambles. -
are ridges which seem to have enclosed, at no dis
tant day. body of water, which was probably shall
low and fresh, and communicated with the Sound.
Bv the special direction of His ExceIlency, the Gov
ernor visited this tract mainly for the purpose of
determining how far it is susceptible of reclamation
and cultivation. In this enterprise was aided very
efficiently, and indeed kindly, by gentlemen residing
at Beaufort; especially by DR.. Arende, Mr.. HELEN
and Capt. Farrar.
We gained access to the Prairie through Wards
Creek, branch of the North River. In our course
we passed over Piney Ridge, which has breadth of
one-fourth of mile, and which has vegetable mould
to the depth Of 81 feet, which reposes upon clay
Beyond this ridge is called the Everg ladies',
which are productive and rich. The soil is between
and feet and reposes upon sandy clay, and in
which there lies buried ancient forest. Sounding
various points we passed over the Everglades,
we found bottom at various depths, varying from
to 10 feet, and frequently the sound penetrated pros
rate logs of considerable size. The soundings in
the Open Prairie were sufficiently numerous prove
great uniformity in the covering of ancient sea
bottom, which, no doubt, was finally changed into
fresh water lake sound, which, by the progress of
slight elevations, from time time raised the bottom
above high water mark. In consequence of these
changes, vegetables peculiar to marshy districts
sprang up. These vegetables, especially the humble
kinds, belong to the family of moses, but consist
mainly of sphagum. Trees also grow upon this
bottom, particularly the bay; and they evidently at
tanned large size. But the moss growing luxuri-
anty, has finally raised the surface in places
10 feet upon the sand. This renders tine present
face Jess suitable for the growth of The Open
Ground Prairie presents level surface, SO far
be seen, covered with humble vegetation of sedge
and moss, with here and there solitary pine. Sur
rounding, however, this extensive field there lofty
pines, interspersed with oaks and chincopin. The
soundngs prove field far moro productive in trees
than the present. This fact, taken by itself, looks
tavoraby towards the soil which bore them. In gen.
era however, they were probably bays, and these
brought up from the lowest points could reach,
was, the eye, composed of vegetable matter, with
sandy soil. 1t was found loose towards the
surface, least to the depth of Is 20 inches II
is a sponge, and holds and retains water like
sponge. The train OF argument which l was dis
posed adopt was, if this soil has been competent
produce trees and perfect Seed capable of repro
ducing species, it may be put under successful cu
ture provided 1t is put into favorable physical con-
don. Still this argument does not hold good. was
inclined TO adopt it before knew the chemical
composition OF the soil. 1t is fully established, as
have had occasion to ray, that soil, purely vegea
BILE, will not produce the cereals neither will one
Of pure sand pure lime produce them. Organic
matter is essential constituent, is sand and clay
and me and yet neither by itself can producea ripe
seed. There must be mixture of organic and in
organic matter. The latter must also consist of
eral elements. These important principles which
may be applied to the question which to be set
tied by this examination. The characteristics of the
vegetable material were fouhd uniform, and hence 1t
did not require numerous analyses for to determine
the nature of the soil. Hence, only four were taken
for this purpose.
These samples were taken from depth of eigh-
teen or twenty inches. The chemical examination
of the specimens taken, resulted, uniformly, in this
One hundred grains gave three per cent. only of in
organic matter, proving she almost total absence of
any earthly compound-the three per cent. consisting
of the ash of the vegetable matter. The ash
tanned Silica, phosphate of lime and per oxyde of
iron lime, magnesia and potash, the elements
which are usually found in the ash of plants belong
ing 10 marshes SOIL thus constituted IS not suS-
ceptibe of profitable cultivation; certainly not
competent to produce and other cereals, unless
II be rice. The question then comes up, is there
remedy! Can the Open Ground Prairie be brought
into condition to warrant attempt at cultivation,
for reasonable expense 1t is plain enough that
the first step is TO lay the prairie portions oft dry
by draining. This is feasible, il is proved by
competent engineer, TO be sixteen feet above high
water, and to be also above the storm tides of the
coast The first effect of draining will be reduce
the level of the prairie about eighteen inches. The
surface, and, indeed, the whole body will become
more compact and close, and the unchanged organic
matter will, in time, decompose. Another effect will
be, to raise the temperature of the SOIL which is
constantly below that of the dry drained fields
Both OF these results will promote vegetation of
better kind but they cannot change materially the
composition of the soil. There is still something
more which must be done. The method which has
h6eFto been pursued with soils of this kind is to
auu quick lime only, under the impression that it pro-
tlO.es the speedy decomposition of the vegetable
4 ns practice, however, is not founded upon just
views 1t is at least defective, and besides, it is
eAPensiVe' The trials, too, of this method, have
e. nut because lime is injurious. 1t does not
' enough TO add lime, as this is singleelement.
oTn.i 10 proved, believe, that these soils I'M
p,6or lot the want of inorganic matter or, in
-, ho; because the earthly bodies absent
- S lime Is absent more than the other earth,
liz froO.oi Hney are all absent. 1t follows, then, if
=; 49, principles are true that what is required,
,od soiIs 'lon OF soil. Take any of the uncutiva-
Liud ~ I'm, marsh mud and sand, any thing of the
aDnlv il az winch consists of earthly matter, and
orsntitv 10 dressing. Experience proves that the |
heavy dres.in not large; that what planters call