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improve the physical character of these soils, and thus deep
plowing, turning up a few inches of these clays, not only
renders these soils of good texture and good color, but also
supplies to a great extent the necessary quantities of Lime,
Magnesia and Potash. The deficiency of Phosphoric acid is
to be supplied by means of bone-dust, the Phosphatic Guan-
oes, or any good Superphosphate—the other mineral defi-
ciencies are all very cheaply supplied. Limes, containing a
fair proportion of Magnesia should be used on them.

It will be seen that the chief deficiencies of this class of
soils can be removed by proper cultivation, and this once
done will be permanent as to the physical deficiencies; these
defects in soil, where natural means are not at hand to
counteract them, being always the most difficult and expen-
sive to be overcome.

The nutrient substances that are deficient can be supplied
with little labor and cost, all of which can be reimbursed by
the first crop and give a very handsome per centage of profit,
in addition to permanent improvement of the soil. These
lands are level, or gently rolling, and produce in great per-
fection all the various grains, grasses, fruits and vegetables
of this favored section. They as a general thing, are as well
timbered and watered, and healthy, in many instances hav-
ing on them deposits of marl capable of rendering them
speedily and permanently very prdductive.

These lands in many instances can be purchased very
cheaply even at present, though they have for the most part
increased more than a hundred per cent, in value since I first
published the Report of my examination of them, now fifteen
years since, and this, too, in the face of most disadvantageous
circumstances; their improvement being mainly due to
the mode of cultivation and manuring then suggested,
which has not only thus increased the value of the lands,
but at the same time these lands have returned remunerative
crops for all the outlay of capital on them.

They can be purchased, with good improvements, at from
ten to one hundred dollars per acre, in good neighborhoods
and in locations very accessible to water navigation and Rail-
road transportation. Much of them without special improve-
ments are to be obtained at less prices.

BLACK GUM SWAMP SOILS.

These are characterized by their black color, light, porous,
chaffy texture, and by the large quantity of very decomposed
vegetable matter which they contained, amounting in the speci-
mens which I have analyzed, from thirty-five to as much as sixty
per cent. They are very productive in corn, but wheat does
not flourish on them, owing to their porous texture. This
6