The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-07
The COUNTY MAP SURVEY.
Mai Blaudford Predicts a Great Fut-
ure for Chatham.

ure for Chatham.
The heated term has operated TO reduce the
force under MAJ. K. a Blaniford engaged
in the field work for the proposed new county
map. Mai Blandford says there is now
but one colo-ed attachs Of the corps, and
that is tie cook, who sticks TO his post, but
none Of the other colored hands will work
out in such weather. The force has been
reduced from twelve TO nine.
The corps is now engaged in the survey
Of the closing section beyond Cherokee
hill, between Pipe Maker and Augustine
creeks, which section extends from the Sa-
vannah river nearly TO the Dillingham;
county line.
Maj. Blandford was asked by a MORNING
NEWS reporter how long before the entire
work will be done. He replied at 70
compute It by the time TO be employed, be
thought it very nearly two-thirds completed.
Eighteen or nineteen months have elapsed
since the work began, but there have been
Interruptions for special work, such as the
surveys for a sewer outlet, new roads, etc.
This Of course delayed the progress Of the
work on the county map, but Maj. Bland
ford says ne can see no reason why, without
some unforeseen delay. the work cannot be
finished up in nine OF ten months more.
Measured by the area of the county, the
work is not twO-thIrds done, Maj. Bland
ford went on to say, but this includes very
large arer Of salt marshes, which will not
require as much time DropOrtionately as the
lands not subject to tidal iEundation.
The question was asked if some of these
marsh lands cannot be reclaimed. and Mai
Blandford replied that a great deal of this
character Of land may be reclaimed by
comparatively inexpensive system of dykes,
but by far the greater part would be very
expensive % reclaim, although all the marsh
lands in the county can be dyked. The ex-
pense, however, wil not Justify it as long
as there are 50 many thousands of acres Of
fertile lands above the tidal flow that can
be bought at low prices.
The object Of the survey, Mai Blandford
explained, is TO determine the best methods
OF draining the large swamps, which will
IN turn carry off the water from the out
lying lowlands, and Maj Blandford says
that, after a very general inspection of the
swamp lands Of the county, he is satisfied
that every foot Of the mainland can be
effectually drained, and that the increased
revenue derived from the taxation of the
reclaimed lie 1ds would in few years more
than pay every dollar Of the outlay for the
drainage.
How much land do you estimate can be
reclaimed by a complete and practical sys-
tenn Of drainageF' Maj. Blandford was
asked.
wen, L should put l0O square miles in
round numbers as the minimum" replied
Maj. Blandford, 'or say 100, 900 acres Of the
richest lands in Georgia. In fact, the richest
lands in the county are the ones that drain
age will reclaim
The major went on to describe how deep
the soil extended, being composed of the de-
caying wood, foliage and tropical vegeta-
ton OF centuries, and its productive powers
can hardly be approximated. For raising
vegetables. potatoes, corn and hay he said
these lands will De peculiarly adapted,
and they will soon dry out and be ready
for clearing up for the plow after
they have been drained. In short, Mai
Blanford says that Chatham county will be
the garden spot of the world when its
swamp lands are reclaimed, and as these
lands will be most productive, and with
rail and steamship facilities near at hand
for moving the products promptly, and
| thrifty and white farmers TO manage the
farms, there will be millions made from the
| land, which must enrich the intelligent
planters. The drainage will also remove
all tendencies TO malaria aud artesiau wells
can be put down at cost of 5000 or $500,
and tue entire county will be as healthful
as any section of the country.
Maj. Blandford is a friend Of the
| eucalyptus tree, which is so extensively
| Pacific coast, and he suggests that they
should be introduced along the Savannah
| river as long as tidewater rice is cultivated
| The growth of the eucalyptus is said to be
rapid, and besides the virtues attributed to
it, 1t is said to be as ornamental for shade
tree as the magnolia, whose general con-
| IN lr