The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-04-06
SOIL SURVEY Of
LAKE
Preliminary Report of the
Conditions
SPLENDID FARMING LAND

~Govcrnnlent Expert Tells Of Condi-
lions He Found in the Hyde Coun-
IN section, Showing How Enormous
~ Productive Che Soil, Under Prop
IL Conditions Would Be.
Washington, j. c., April 3.-The
preliminary report of the soil survey
"f Lake Matamuskeet and adjacent
Jrainage lands in Hyde county has
neen received, here by the Bureau Of
Soils, Y, S: Department of Agriculture.
rms survey was made by w. Z.
learn, an eNpert from the Bureau,
VINO undertook the work at the in
stance OF Representative John H.
small. The eport will be of the
greatest interest to the people of the
HEde ecuo showing, as it does, The
posslbllltles OF the Lake soil and the
crops for which it is best adapted.
n Lake Natamusteek drainage
proposition is one of Statewide inter
est, the State Legislature having au-
thorized the expenditure of 100000
IN carrying out the drainage project.
At the present time j. Q. Wright, who
has charge Of drainage Work for the
L. S. Department Of Agriculture. is
IN Hyde county, where he went to
consider with State and local author
tiles regarding the program for the
drainage of the Lake and adjacent
swamp lands.
The interesting report of Special
Agent Hearn is given herewith:
The land area round Lake Malta
muskeet. Included within the drainage
dlStrlct, embraces about 100 square
miles, While the area covered by thei
Lake IS about so square miles. Sur
OundInS and bordering the Lake jnI
many places IS a slightly elevated ridge
Of narrow width, which has an eleva-
ton OF q few feet above the water lev
Il of the Lake and the fiat lands to
the outside With the exception of
this ridge the surface Of the countryI
appears perfectly level to the eye
The elevation OF the farming lands
i mean cleared lands-yaries from
/ loot to 8 feet above the sea level.i
This places a large part of the land
! foot below the water level in the
Lake, as that body of water lies 2
Zee above sea level.
During dry Years when the Lake
IS low, good crops-1 might say bum
per cropS-are produced on the level
low land, but in wet seasons such as
have occurred for the last three years
practically nothing has been produc-
cd on much of the most productive
soil in Hyde county. This condition
Of affairs in recent years has reached
H. point where the cannot
make expenses, and have in hopes of
" % lost money each year
when the season IS wet.
The ridge around the Lake. is very
thickly. populated along the road and
1t person can drive more than 40
miles and never get out Of sight OF
some farm house. When the ridge
IS left, it is only in spots that any
people are found, as the fiat savann-
th lands. too>.wet for cultivation, are
~'On ~reached... AL of the ridge land
is C1IltiElta6 = h1lT only n small mart
'I the fat land. adjoining it. Many
-ood farm houses are seen, which in
ncate the once prosperous condition
pi the farmers OF Hyde county. \
-rrat deal of this and has been farm
q Tor over one hundred ears and
@eneraiy without the use Of any fer
ulZerS. 1t produces excellent rOp
md stiIl retains its black color, which
proves IN a measure that it is filed
With humus and vegetable matter.
lime ereatly benefits all the land in
The county, but more especially the
black mucky soil.
Soils" Are Fertile.
The soils readily lend themselves
I'D the production of most any crop,
'ut are especially suited to corn, oats,
md rice. Soy, beans, cotton, potatoes,
feSetables, fruits, particularly figs and
b"can nuts, dc. we'll At present corn,
ats and cotton are the princi-
Eal crops. Rice is now crown to a
cry limited extent. When the re-
non IS drained and transportation IS
,ptned up | believe special crops can
De produced With greater profit than
TN" present staples. There are soils
h@re which are suited to celery, CABS
bags, o~nionss Irish potatoes and other
There is: no rail transportation
within the county and all freight is
brought here by small boats,~mostly
san boats, and the products Of the
arm are transported in alike mani
ner. No towns of any size have been (
pullt up. u : s<srgs -&. ~4r {
ON account Of the, wet conditionI
OF large areas of the land, together
with q heavy forest ,.anaadense under-lt