Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-11-07
FARM LANDS
MAKE GREAT PROGRESS
South Georgia Included in
Section Praised by U. S.
Department of Agriculture
nv Associated Press

WASHINGTON, Nov. Agricultural
opportunities in the gulf coast region
of the south, east of the Mississippi river,
are attracting many people from the
north, according to a report of the bu-
reau of soils OF the department of agri-
culture just made public. Activity on
the part of real estate and colonization
companies, as well as of railroad and
Industrial orginath. o, iontaz etaointaoin
Industrial organizations in advertising the
resources of the region, have been very
marked during the past few years.
The majority of the immigrants who
have purchased land for general farm
ing have had but little experience with
such soils as commonly occur in this
part of the gulf coast country. While
other considerations, such as general
and social conditions of a locality, ac-
feasibility to markets and transporta-
ton facilities are important, the soil
itself should be the first consideration,
advises the bureau.
EMBRACES SOUTH GEORGIA.
The territory to which reference is
made embraces the southern third of
Mississippi and the adjoining portion of
Louisiana to the south; that part of
Alabama below the ''black belt" the
southern counties of Georgia, and the
northern ones Of Florida.
Inc general elevation Of the northern
part of the region is 400 to 500 feet, with
a gradual slope toward the south. In
many places the uplands have an aver
age elevation of 100 feet or more to with
ing a few miles of the coast.
The topography varies from very billy
areas to broad, undulating divides, which
include considerable level land. A for
est of long leaf pine once covered prac-
tically all of the hills and well drained
T., fhn
streams there was a mixed growth OF
deciduous trees, pine and underbrush.
varied by canebrakes. While the cane
largely has disappeared much OF the
lowland still is densely forested.
The soils Of the Mississippi river bot
tom are aIluvial eastward the prevailing
soils are grayish sands, or sandy loans.
clay loans are limited in extent, except
in certain localities. The subsoils or
upland types range in color from yellow
through various shades OF brown to
bright red. There are great variations in
the depth of the soil in the uplands and
higher bench lands on the larger
streams, and in the physical characters
tics OF the subson. In part of a field
the soil may be largely OF sand, gradual
ing at a depth of a few inches to clay
material, while nearby sand may be two
or three feet deep The extreme range
sand OF little agricultural value. Such
conditions are the exception. clayey
subsoil with enough sand to give it
somewhat coarse, gritty feel and
granny appearance in a hand sample
Is preferable to a clay with but little
sand or grit.
SANDY LOAN IDEAL.
Regarding drainage, the annual precip-
ttation is about 60 inches. Therefore II
is important that both surface and I'M
derdrainage be so effective that a sat
urated condition OF the soil cannot long
prevail in normal seasons. The soil, on
the other hand, should be sufficiently re-
tentive of moisture to carry a crop
safely through a dry period, should one
occur. The ideal soil in this respect Is
a loan, or sandy loan, everything a mod
erately compact sandy clay subsoii. The
soil and subsoil should have the power
of maintaining a reasonably uniform
moisture content throughout consider
able extremes in precipitation. Heavy
clayey soils are more difficult to keep
in good Hlth than the corresponding
types in regions of less rainfall Where
the surface is hilly terracing Is neces-
sary.
Red sands are more desirable, other
conditions being equal, than gray
sands Black sand. II the color is due
to the large admixture OF muck. will
assume light grayish tint after a few
years of cultivation. Calcareous soils
are limited to a comparatively few To-
calities. Some of them are very pro-
ductive, but difficult to handle.
LACK ORGANIC MATTER.
Practically all of the well drained soils
are deficient in organic matter, and thfs
holds uue Of virgin land as well as