GIFT OF

Ma* Lib.
Agric. Dept.

<f

Issued February 19, 1910.

United States Department of Agriculture,

BUREAU OF SOILS CIRCULAR No. 21.
MILTON WHITNEY, Chief.

SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA.: A PRELIMINARY

REPORT.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA.

In order to determine the character of the soils in the vicinity of
Brunswick, Glynn County, Ga., and to ascertain their crop adapta-
tions and capabilities a preliminary survey was made of a consider-
able territory about that city in October, 1909. No attempt was
made to map any of the different areas of soil, owing to lack of time
and to the fact that such work lies within the province of the detailed
soil survey, by which the location and extent of the different grades
of land are shown on a carefully prepared map. It is hoped that a
complete or detailed survey of the whole of the county can be made
in the near future. In the meantime the descriptions of the several
soils given in this circular will be valuable as a guide in identifying
the important soils of the county and will go far, it is believed, in di-
recting proper utilization of the soils.

Glynn County is situated in the southeastern part of the State,
entirely within the Atlantic Coastal Plain. It has a water frontage
of about 20 miles along the Atlantic Ocean and an inland extent of
approximately 38 miles. Brunswick, the county seat, is about 57
miles nearly due north from Jacksonville, Fla., and 69 miles a little
west of south from Savannah, Ga. The area of the county is 468
square miles, or 299,520 acres.

Topographically the mainland portion of Glynn County is a plain
of marked evenness, the surface being interrupted only by slight
hummocks with intervening shallow depressions, occasional very low
sand ridges, and streamway depressions, which in a generalized view
hardly affect the flat appearance of the whole country.

Carefully determined altitudes above sea level show but slight
variation in the surface elevation of the county. In different parts
of Brunswick the elevation varies from 7 to about 15 feet; at Ster-

21264 Cir. 2110 1

2 SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA.

ling it is 21 feet, and at Everett City, in the northwestern part of the
county, only 16 feet. High sand dunes are of common occurrence
near the ocean front.

The seaward portion of the county is much dissected by rivers and
arms of the sea. Several large islands, as St. Simons and Jekyl, have
been cut off from the mainland by this network of waterways. Fring-
ing these coastal land areas are to be seen in many places monoto-
nously flat stretches of salt marsh covered with a dense growth of
rushes and salt grass. The broad bottoms of the Altamaha River
are marked along the outer margin by an abrupt bluff. Much of this
alluvium has been reclaimed from inundation by diking.

Very little of the upland is farmed, most of it being timbered with
longleaf and shortleaf pine, scattering live oak, hickory, and cabbage
palmetto and an undergrowth of saw palmetto, gallberry bushes, and
wire-grass.

The population of Glynn County in 1830 was, according to the
census: Whites, 597; slaves, 3,968; free colored, 2. There was a
slight increase during the next twenty years, the population in 1850
being, whites, 696; slaves, 4,232; free colored, 5. The population
of the county in 1900 was 14,317, and of these 9,081 lived in Bruns-
wick. The rural population is very much scattered.

Transportation facilities are excellent. Three important railroad
systems enter Brunswick the Southern, the Atlantic Coast Line,
and the Atlanta, Birmingham, and Atlantic. Fast refrigerator ex-
press freight service to northern markets is available. Brunswick
is also an important seaport, having a fine deep-water harbor and
good docking facilities.

The dirt roads average very good and are being improved by sand-
clay surfacing and the use of shells.

AGRICULTURE.

Settlement began within the territory now included in Glynn
County about 1736. In 1765 the boundaries of the county were
defined under the name of the parishes of St. Patrick and St. David,
and later the territory included was renamed the County of Glynn.
As the seat of government for the province of Georgia early hostilities
with the Spanish centered about this section.

The production and exportation of indigo, together with an exten-
sive trade with the Indians, was accompanied with marked pros-
perity and development during the period 1743-1765. Subse-
quently the Revolutionary war entailed stagnation of the industry,
but after 1783 conditions improved rapidly. Sea Island cotton prom-
ised to bring high prices, and soon what capital existed or could be
borrowed turned to that industry. Large farms were opened for its

[Cir. 21]

SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA. 3

cultivation on St. Simons and Jekyl islands, and also on the main-
land, especially in the tide-water district and the Big and Little
Buffalo swamps.

Immigrants from South and North Carolina flowed in, and French refugees from
the West Indies * * *. Schools were opened, churches built, lands cleared and
diked, and by the close of the century the ruins that had marked the course of the
war were hid by the growths of peace.

A number of large plantations established along the Altamaha
River about the close of the eighteenth century are yet under tillage.
The cultivated portion of these consists of the overflowed river bot-
toms, reclaimed by substantial dikes and skillful ditching. Irri-
gated by water from the river, excellent rice has been produced con-
tinuously up to the present time. A considerable acreage was at
first devoted to cotton and sugar cane, but the production of rice
soon became the dominant agricultural industry. A sugar mill built
on the Hopeton plantation about 1828 manufactured sugar success-
fully, but finally ceased operations owing to increased attention to
the more profitable rice industry. Agricultural operations have been
confined principally to the diked river lands since the early part of
the nineteenth century, and relatively small areas have been cropped
in the uplands since the early abandonment of indigo growing and
the later decline and cessation of Sea Island cotton production,
which had attained a place of considerable importance in certain
sections of the county.

Of a total area of 106,249 acres in farms, only 20,472 acres were
classed by the census of 1850 as improved farm land. In 1849
there were produced in Glynn County 3,829,875 pounds of rice,
49,739 bushels of corn, 1,036 bales of cotton, 55,100 bushels of
sweet potatoes, 7,290 bushels of pease, 1,470 bushels of oats, and
5,766 gallons of molasses. There has been some decline since this,
owing to the fact that considerable effort has been diverted from
agriculture toward the naval stores, lumbering, shipping, and other
industries. In 1899 of the 77,933 acres in* farms 5,593 were classed
as improved land. In this year there were made in the county
1,150,460 bushels of rice, 21,570 bushels of corn, 2 bales of cotton,
20,334 bushels of sweet potatoes, 5,331 bushels of Irish potatoes,
991 bushels of pease, 2,651 bushels of oats, and 4,485 gallons of sirup.
In addition, 154 acres were planted to miscellaneous vegetables.
The value of live stock was estimated at $67,384.

Considerable rice is being produced at the present time, notwith-
standing the Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas growers have a tre-
mendous advantage in being able to harvest with machinery and

aAnnals and Statistics of Glynn County, Georgia, by Chas. S. Wylly. Acknowl-
edgment ig due Mr. Wylly for historical data included in the introductory para-
graphs of this chapter.
[Cir. 21]

4 SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BKUNSWICK, GA.

in being protected from overflows. Under present methods of
management only moderate yields of corn, sugar cane, and forage
are made, and the average is quite limited. Crab-grass, Bermuda, and
"goose grass" flourish on most of the upland types.

A variety of vegetables are being grown quite successfully both
in the uplands and on the diked rice fields. Sweet potatoes, Irish
potatoes, beans, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, celery, peppers, okra,
and a number of other crops have given excellent results. Certain
types of the river-bottom lands are especially adapted to a variety
of vegetables, while in the uplands there is a considerable area of
good truck as well as good general farm land needing only to
be handled properly in order to give good yields. With proper
effort there is no reason why there should not be built up diversified
and extensive agricultural interests, particularly in trucking, as
with proper soil selection and management there should be no trouble
in growing the crops.

VEGETABLES.

A number of soils encountered in this preliminary survey are
adapted to celery, lettuce, and other vegetables. These are quite
similar in composition to the sand and muck celery lands of the
Sanford (Fla.) district, and handled along the same general lines as
pursued in this highly successful trucking section, there is no reason
why these crops should not be grown successfully around Bruns-
wick. Soils suited to this crop, as well as to a number of other
vegetables, such as cabbage, lettuce, onions, Irish potatoes, etc., are
described in succeeding pages.

The general methods of vegetable production as practiced by the
Sanford growers is given below, inasmuch as it is believed that the
same methods will, in a general way, fit the conditions in the vicinity
of Brunswick. Of course it will be necessary to do many things
differently around Brunswick, as, for instance, some land here for
celery will mainly need drainage and probably little or no added
water after the crop is once well started. It is not meant that the
fertilizer practices of the Sanford growers should be followed strictly
here ; in fact, the practices vary considerably in that section to suit
the different soils and to accord with individual ideas, and the plant-
ing or setting of winter vegetables will in most cases have to be done
earlier about Brunswick than is the case in the more southern section.

In the Sanford section imported celery seed is sown broadcast or
in drills on well-fertilized beds 3 or 4 feet wide. The young plant
are protected from the hot sun either by shading with cloth
heavier cloth than cheese cloth is used) arranged on peaked wh
frames or by parallel slanting slats on the south side of the
placed north and south to insure an equal distribution of sunlight

[Cir. 21]

SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA. 5

upon the plants. To regulate shading under cloth the covering is
arranged so that it may be rolled up to the peak wire or let down to
the ground at will. Slat shades are sometimes covered with sacks in
the middle of the day to protect the tender plants more completely.
Moisture is applied by subirrigation. At one time much transplant-
ing to a second seed bed was done, but this is being practiced less
extensively at present and is done principally to give room for strong,
uniform plant development. This first transplanting is done when
the plants are four to six weeks old.

Newly cleared land, with stumps and roots removed, is usually
cultivated to Irish potatoes or tomatoes one or two years before
planting celery, as the crop seems to give rather poor average results
on new ground. Success on new land, however, was reported as
following frequent preliminary cultivation, liberal liming, and the
application of hardwood ashes.

A ton of lime, floats, or hardwood ashes to the acre is applied to
correct acidity, the land harrowed frequently during the summer
with acme and cutaway harrows, plowed 6 inches deep, and fertilized
broadcast from four to six weeks before setting. The fertilizer is
harrowed in and the land later turned 4 inches deep with a turning
plow, smoothed with a "planker," and the rows marked off from 26
to 36 inches apart. The plants are hand set from 3 to 4 inches apart
in the row, watered individually by hand, and the whole field satu-
rated from below. The rows are set alternately with large and small
plants as a means of economy in distributing blanching boards from
the rows of early to later maturing plants. The subirrigation sys-
tem is arranged so that water may be kept at any level above the
tiles (12 to 18 inches below the surface). Beginning a day or two
after setting the water is gradually drawn off to reduce bogginess
and to allow aeration of the soil. Cultivation is begun within a week
following setting by stirring the soil 3 or 4 inches from the plants with
a hand-pushed, shallow-running wheel plow. After an interval of
ten days furrows are run on both sides with a bull-tongue plow to a
depth of 6 inches. Weekly horse cultivation is then given until
about two weeks preceding banking, when shallow hand-plow culti-
vation is resumed. The fields are subirrigated at varying intervals,
depending upon the season. After the plants are well started not so
much water is needed. With the Golden self-blanching variety usu-
ally grown, blanching is done by standing boards (cypress boards 1
inch thick and 10 to 12 inches wide) perpendicularly on both sides
of the plants and about 10 inches apart, staking them in place. These
are moved up slightly at intervals of two or three days until within
6 inches of each other. Blanching requires from ten days to three
weeks, according to the weather. With a late crop and warm weather

[Clr. 21]

6 SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA.

ten days is sufficient, while five days is generally sufficient for celery
intended for cold storage. A few outside leaves are removed, the
plants packed, in the rough, directly into crates of standard size and
placed in iced cars.

Celery is shipped mainly to eastern markets at any time between
Christmas and May, depending on time of planting and rate of
growth. March is the heavy shipping month for the Sanford district.

There is considerable variation in the amount, quality, and method
of applying fertilizers. Some apply one-half before planting, follow-
ing with one or two later applications. Sodium nitrate or dried
blood is frequently used for the later applications, the former being
used in from one to three applications of about 200 pounds per acre
each. Castor pomace, cotton-seed meal, kainit, sulphate of potash,
tankage, dried blood, phosphoric acid, bone meal, etc., are variously
used by different growers, while a number of ready-mixed brands
are popular. An average analysis of fertilizers used would show
about 6 per cent phosphoric acid, 4 per cent nitrogen, and 7 per
cent potash. A frequent acreage application consists of 1 ton of
hardwood ashes (which is said to start the crop off well), 1 ton
cotton-seed meal or castor pomace, 1 ton high-grade "blood and
bone," 300 pounds sulphate of potash, 5 to 20 tons of well-rotted
manure (thoroughly rotted by stacking), and from 200 to 500 pounds
of sodium nitrate.

The acreage application of fertilizer ranges from about 1 to 4 tons,
not including barnyard manure. Rich hammock land or mucky
soil requires less fertilization than the sandy land. The plan in this
section is to put on enough fertilizer to meet all possible needs of a crop.
No careful experiments have been made to determine the exact effect
of various materials or mixtures, or the best quantity to use, the
growers being satisfied with the good crops secured under present
methods of heavy though somewhat indiscriminate fertilization. It
seems to be pretty well established that liberal quantities of nitrogen
and potash are required and that the sulphate of potash is decidedly
better than kainit. Potash is believed to make celery stand shipment
better.

Combinations giving the best growth of celery, according to test
made by the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station (1908 report),
were as follows, in order of rank:

(1) Acid phosphate, dried blood, and low-grade sulphate of potash.

(2) Floats, dried blood, and low-grade sulphate of potash.

(3) Floats, fish scrap, and low-grade sulphate of potash.

(4) Floats, nitrate of soda, and low-grade sulphate of potash.
[Clr. 21J

SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA. 7

All points considered, including yield, resistance to disease, etc.,
the following combinations, in order of rank, gave best results:

(1) Bone meal, fish scrap, and high-grade sulphate of potash.

(2) Bone meal, fish scrap, and muriate of potash.

(3) Bone meal, dried blood, and high-grade sulphate of potash.

(4) Floats, fish scrap, and low-grade sulphate of potash.

(5) Acid phosphate, dried blood, and muriate of potash.

The tendency of these tests was to show that where nitrate of soda
and kainit are used the plants are more susceptible to blackheart, that
bone meal is the best source of phosphoric acid, and that dried blood
and fish scrap are the best sources of nitrogen.

Spraying with Bordeaux mixture is very effective in combating
blight. Much less trouble, however, comes from this source than
blackheart, the greater or less prevalence of which seems to depend,
to a certain extent at least, upon the kind of fertilizer used. There
has been little trouble from other diseases.

Not infrequently celery is planted with lettuce, but this method
is not considered the best by many growers, as the latter crop is
sometimes given too much water in the heavy subirrigation given the
later-set celery. The better plan seems to be to follow lettuce with
celery, in which case less fertilization is needed, as the residual
effect of that applied to the former is of considerable account.
Relatively less potash is required for lettuce, a 5-5-5 brand being
frequently used. About the same materials, however, are used for
both crops, but the proportions are varied and the acreage applica-
tion for lettuce is only about half that used for celery. A number
of farmers disk under cowpeas during summer for succeeding crops
of celery and lettuce with excellent results.

Good crops of Irish potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant are secured
after celery and heavy yields of crab-grass hay. Cauliflower, Ber-
muda onions, and cabbage are also grown successfully on subirrigated
lands.

For subirrigation 2 or 3 inch tiles laid 15, 20, or 25 feet apart at a
depth of about 12 or 18 inches are connected with a main placed
along the higher part of the field, into which water from artesian
wells flows. The connections are made by a small iron pipe and at
these junctions "standpipes" or large tile drains are set upright
and connected with the mains so that water connection with the
laterals may be controlled with ease. These openings are also con-
venient for dipping out water to be used on freshly set plants. It
is estimated that a 2-inch artesian well will furnish sufficient water
to subirrigate a 5-acre field.

The deep sandy land in the vicinity of Brunswick, such as the
Amelia sand, on account of its open nature, will require surface irri-
gation probably by spraying from pipes carried through the fields.

[Cir. 21]

8 SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA.

Subirrigation could be made effective on those areas havipg a good
hardpan or the water table at a depth of 18 to 24 feet. There are a
number of upland soils, however, in this section suited to subirrigation.

CLIMATE.

The following table gives the normal monthly and annual tempera-
ture and rainfall and frost records for Jacksonville and Eustis, Fla.,
and Savannah, Ga., as a basis of comparing the climate of these
regions.

Records covering sufficient time to afford a basis for satisfactory
normals could not be secured for Brunswick, but as this point lies
nearly half way between Jacksonville and Savannah and at about
the same elevation and relative position with reference to the ocean,
its climate should be approximately the mean of these two points.
Figuring a northerly recession of the frost line at 13 miles a day the
season at Brunswick is probably about 4 to 5 days later than at
Jacksonville and 5 to 6 days earlier than at Savannah. Killing
frosts may not be expected under normal conditions before December
1 nor later than February 24, although there is some variation, these
dates representing the average occurrence of killing frosts. Many
vegetables can be grown unprotected throughout the winter, and
with a covering of cloth all but the most delicate can be grown with
reasonable certainty of success throughout the year. The long
growing season makes it possible to secure several crops annually
from the same land.

The table showing the climatic records of Eustis, Fla., is given for
sake of comparison with the famous celery and lettuce district of
Sanford, which is 35 miles nearly east from Eustis. The annual
winter mean of 60 F. for Eustis shows the climate of this region to
be considerably milder than at Brunswick. To balance such ine-
quality, planting of winter crops, such as celery and lettuce, should
be done several weeks earlier than at Sanford, and in addition cloth
(sheeting) should be kept available for covering in threatening
weather. Celery is set in the Sanford district from about October 1
to December 1, and lettuce from September 15 to November 1.

The summers at Brunswick are moderated by sea breezes and ai
usually quite pleasant, while the winters are in every way delightful.

[Cir. 21]

SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BEUNSWICK, GA. 9

Normal monthly, seasonal, and annual temperature and precipitation at Savannah, Ga.

Month.

Temperature.

Precipitation.

Mean.

Absolute
maxi-
mum.

Absolute
mini-
mum.

Mean.

Total
amount
for the
driest
year.

Total
amount
for the
wettest
year.

December

F.
52
51
54

"F.
80
80
84

*r.

12
12

8

Inches.
3.2
3.1
3.3

Inches.
1.0
3.6
4.2

Inches.
5.5
6.4
3.1

January

February . ....

Winter

52

9.6

8.8

15.0

March ...

59
66
74

88
90
101

24
33
44

3.7
3.3

2.8

2.3

1.9
2.7

3.1
1.1
4.0

April

May . . ..

Spring

66

9.8

6.9

8.2

June . ...

79
82
81

100
105
102

50
63
61

6.1

5.8
7.9

6.8
3.7
6.4

8.1

7.9
14.4

July... . . ..

August ... . ..

Summer

81

19.8

16.9

30.4

September

76
67
58

97
92
83

46

37
22

5.7
3.7
2.4

2.1

1.0
1.0

12.0

7.7
0.6

October.

November...

Fall

67

11.8

4.1

20.3

Year .

66

105

8

51.0

36.7

73.9
1

Average date of last killing frost in spring, February 26, and of first in fall, November 27; date of latest in
spring, April 5; and of earliest in fall, November 1.

Normal monthly, seasonal, and annual temperature and precipitation at Jacksonville, Fla.

Month.

Temperature.

Precipitation.

Mean.

Absolute
maxi-
mum.

Absolute
mini-
mum.

Mean.

Total
amount
for the
driest
year.

Total
amount
for the
wettest
year.

'F.
56
55

58

'F.
81
81
86

'F.
14
15
10

Inches.
3.0
3.0
3.4

Inches.
2.4
4.0
3.4

Inches.
7.8
7.2
5.2

January

February

Winter

56

9.4

9.8

20.2

March

63

68
75

88
92
98

26
34
46

3.5

2.9
4.0

1.4

3.2
1.9

5.7

1.2
7.7

April

May

Spring.

69

10.4

6.5

14.6

21264 Cir. 2110 2

SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA.

Normal monthly, seasonal, and annual temperature and precipitation at Jacksonville,

Fla. Continued.

Month.

Temperature.

Precipitation.

Mean.

Absolute
maxi-
mum.

Absolute
mini-
mum.

Mean.

Total
amount
for the
driest
year.

Total
amount
for the
wettest
year.

June

F.

80
82
82

F.

101
104
101

F.
54
66
64

Inches.
5.5
6.2
6.2

Inches.
4.5
6.1
3.9

Inches.
9.0
7.2
7.6

July

August .

Summer

81

17.9

14.5

23.8

September

78
71

62

98
92
86

49
40
26

8.1
5.1
2.5

5.1
2.7
0.1

19.6
3.4
0.5

October

November

Fall

70

15.7

7.9

23.5

Year...

69

104

10

53.4

38.7

82.1

Average data of last killing frost in spring, February 19, and of first in fall, December 6; date of latest In
spring, April G; and of earliest in fall, November 12.

Normal monthly, seasonal, and annual temperature and precipitation at Eustis, Lake

Co., Fla.

Month.

Temperature.

Precipitation.

Mean.

Absolute
maxi-
mum.

Absolute
mini-
mum.

Mean.

Total
amount
for the
driest
year.

Total
amount
f jr the
wettest
year.

December . .

F.
60

58
61

'F.

84
86
88

F.
16
23
16

Inches.
2.2
3.1
3.7

Inches.
3.1
3.3
1.0

Inches.
1.3
6.2
9.6

January

February . . .

Whiter

60

9.0

7.4

16.1

March

67

70
77

92
93
100

28
40
51

2.9
2.0
3.1

1.2

1.7
2.3

1.2

4.2
0.8

Aprfl

May

Spring

71

8.0

5.2

6.2

June

81
83
83

103

104
101

61
65
63

6.4
6.9
6.5

6.7

2.8
9.0

7.2
13.6
6.0

July

August

Summer

82

19.8

17.5

26.8

6.2
3.2
0.4

9.8
68.9

September

80
73
66

98
95
91

52
42
26

8.0
3.2
1.6

8.1
1.9
1.7

October

November

Fall

73

12.8
40.6

11.7

Year

72

104

16

41.8

Average date of first killing frost In autumn, December 28, and of the last In spring, February 18; date
of earliest killing frost in autumn, November 18, and of the latest In spring, February 24.
fClr. 21]

SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA. 11

SOILS.

The upland soils of Glenn County consist of materials that were
washed down from the higher Piedmont section of the country to the
west and deposited hi an ancient sea that completely covered this por-
tion of the Coastal Plain region. These sediments, subjected to the
action of waves and tides, were reworked and assorted into various
grades of sands and sandy loams and subsequently lifted above tide
level to be still further altered by erosion, the growth and decay of
vegetation, and chemical change. The uplifted ocean floor has been
cut through and more or less dissected by streams. Poor drainage
conditions have favored the accumulation of dark-colored vegetable
matter in the soils occupying the slight depressions, sufficiently hi
places to give rise to a deep, rich muck. The subsoils in such places
are usually light gray or mottled in color, owing to imperfect aera-
tion. The heavy soils of the drainage-way and old tide-water depres-
sions have been formed by the deposition of silt and clay carried in
suspension by the waters of local streams and by inland tides mingled
with the muddied waters from interior streams. In places there is
encountered clayey soil which represents the finer sediments laid
down in deep or quiet marine waters, as in case of the subsoil of the
Coxville fine sandy loam.

The soils of the river bottoms are strictly alluvial hi origin, having
been formed by deposition of silt, clay, and sand from stream water
bearing soil material derived principally from the red lands of the
Piedmont. These lands represent the most recently formed soils
of the county; in fact, they are still in course of formation, being
added to by each successive overflow.

The poorly drained dark-gray to black lands of high organic matter
content are called "Portsmouth soils" (named for Portsmouth, Va.,
where these soils were first mapped) ; the well-drained gray to nearly
white deep sandy lands of low humus content are classed as Amelia;
the gray to dark-gray types underlain by plastic clay of mottled
yellow and red color belong to the Coxville series; and the river-
bottom lands belong to the Congaree series.

The various types of these series are described in detail and then*
crop adaptations taken up in the following pages.

PORTSMOUTH LOAM.

The Portsmouth loam consists of a black, mucky, light loam,
underlain usually at from 12 to 20 inches by a somewhat lighter
colored stiff, plastic clay, slightly mottled in the upper part and
very much mottled with ocherous yellow at a depth of about 3 feet.
In spots the clay comes near enough the surface to be reached by a

ICir. 21]

12 SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA.

moderately deep plowing. The water table is usually reached at
from 30 to 36 inches.

This type occurs in the slight depressions or flat areas where
moisture conditions have favored the accumulation of the remains
from a luxuriant growth of water-loving trees, shrubbery, and
weeds. On account of imperfect soil aeration oxidation has been
slow in such situations, consequently the organic matter content is
high. Areas ranging from one-half acre to several acres in extent
were seen in a number of places 5 or 6 miles west of Brunswick.

The Portsmouth loam is very fertile, and when drained can be
easily made a valuable, productive soil. Very good drainage can
be effected at a comparatively low cost by means of open ditches,
but tiling is to be preferred where the land is intended for intensive
cultivation, as in case of vegetable production. The lowest level of
the type is not often more than 5 or 6 feet below the level of the
surrounding land, and usually natural drainage outlets can be reached
in short distances.

A mam open ditch or tile through the center or lowest part, with
laterals placed at intervals of from 25 to 50 feet, according to local
peculiarities of topography and the relation of subsoil to water move-
ment, will be sufficient in most instances to bring about thorough
drainage.

This type of soil is especially adapted to cabbage, celery, onions,
tomatoes, and strawberries of the truck crops, and to corn, oats,
cowpeas, and velvet beans of the general farm crops. Irish potatoes
would likely do quite well, but should be preceded by several other
crops following an application of lime, as the crop seems to prefer a
neutral or acid soil. Both this crop and tomatoes do well on new
land, leaving it in good condition for celery and lettuce. For the
two last-mentioned crops the depth to clay should be at least 6
inches. Phosphoric acid is generally of profitable use in hastening
crops to maturity. Fertilizers for this type should contain less
nitrogen and relatively more phosphoric acid and potash than those
used on the lighter colored, better drained sandy soils. Lighter
applications also are necessary. For celery and cabbage 1,000 to
1,500 pounds per acre of a brand analyzing about 10 per cent phos-
phoric acid, 3 per cent nitrogen, and 7 per cent potash have been
used on land of this character with excellent results. Corn, oats, or
forage, following a crop treated as above, would hardly need fertili-
zation. Irish potatoes also would need only a light application of
a potash-phosphoric mixture say, 200 to 300 pounds per acre.

An acreage application of 1 ton to 1^ tons of lime will coi
possible sourness and otherwise benefit the soil. The lime should
be applied broadcast over the surface at least three weeks before

[CIr. 21]

SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA.

13

planting. Ground limestone may be used in larger amounts. This
form of lime is less soluble and, owing to its slower action, it is advisable
to make an initial application of lime. If desired, ground limestone
can be used at the same time for later effect.

The following table gives the results of mechanical analyses of a
sample of the soil and subsoil of the Portsmouth loam:

Mechanical analyses of Portsmouth loam.

Number.

Description.

Fine
gravel.

Coarse
sand.

Medium
sand.

Fine
sand.

Very fine
sand.

Silt.

Clay.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

21527

Soil

0.0

0.4

0.6

27.5

30.5

22.4

18.4

21528

Subsoil ...

.0

.2

.6

24.8

26.4

15.5

32.5

PORTSMOUTH FINE SAND.

The Portsmouth fine sand was encountered in areas ranging from
small patches to bodies of 10 or more acres in extent in several direc-
tions from Brunswick. It occurs principally in flat areas having
rather poor drainage a condition due to the slight depression of its
surface below the level of the surrounding country.

The type is somewhat variable in texture, but generally consists
of dark-gray to black fine sand, underlain at 15 to 24 inches by white
to slightly mottled grayish and yellowish sand. A dense stratum or
hardpan of compact brown to reddish-brown fine sand more or less
cemented with iron oxides is encountered somewhere between the
immediate surface and a depth of 3 feet. This stratum varies from
an inch or two to 6 inches or more in thickness. Where it occurs
near the surface the soil is referred to locally as "red land." Areas
in which this brownish material can be turned to the surface by plow-
ing are considered unproductive. Applications of lime following the
turning under of a green crop, as cowpeas or rye, with subsequent
frequent stirring of the soil, would probably in a year or two correct
any condition unfavorable to plant growth arising from turning up
such material. Where a hardpan stratum several inches or more
thick and not too feebly cemented lies at a depth of 12 to about 24
inches subirrigation is generally considered practicable, the compact
layer holding up the water and insuring proper lateral and upward
distribution.

In many of the areas of the type forming shallow depressions, the
water table is encountered within 18 to 30 inches of the surface.
Subirrigation here also would likely prove successful, as percolation
would be limited to the upper level of the underground water, which
could be raised sufficiently by subirrigation to bring the water at
least within capillary reach of plant roots.

[Cir. 21]

14

SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA.

Cabbage palmetto is frequently seen on this soil. Pine and st
palmetto are also common.

On account of its moist nature and adaptability to subirrigatioi
much of the Portsmouth fine sand is well suited to the production of
celery. Lettuce, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, turnips,
onions, strawberries, corn, sugar cane, peanuts, and forage crops can
also be successfully grown. The soil should be limed at the rate of
about 1,500 to 2,000 pounds per acre. After a year or two of culti-
vation green or partly matured vegetation, for instance, cowpeas,
should be plowed under to supply humus. Heavier applications of a
fertilizer somewhat higher in nitrogen and lower in phosphoric acid
and potash than recommended for the Portsmouth loam seem to give
best results on this soil. An acreage application of 1 ton to 1^ tons
of an 8-5-6 brand, in conjunction with 4 or 5 tons of barnyard
manure, has been quite profitably used for celery and lettuce. Cab-
bage and onions would probably need more barnyard manure and
less fertilizer. Corn, unless heavily fertilized, can not be expected to
do as well as on the loam type. Crab grass grows luxuriantly and
should be looked on as an important hay crop or source of green
manure, especially following vegetables.

Tile drains for subirrigation should be placed about 25 feet apart.
In those areas without a water table or well-developed hardpan above
36 inches, subirrigation, owing to downward instead of lateral and
upward movement of water, would probably not be sufficiently effect-
ive to warrant its practice. Much of this latter phase, however, lies
well for surface irrigation. The type is in need of drainage, such as
can be secured either by ditches or by tiling. Tiles serve the dual
purpose of removing excess water and of supplying means of sub-
irrigation.

This soil was sampled in three sections soil, subsoil, and lower
subsoil, analyses of each of which were made. The results are given
hi the table following:

Mechanical analyses of Portsmouth fine sand.

Number.

Description.

Fine
gravel.

Coarse
sand.

Medium
sand.

Fine
sand.

Very fine
sand.

Silt.

Clay.

21529

Soil

Per cent.
0.0

Percent.
1.7

Per cent.
4.1

Per cent.
68.1

Per cent.
16.

Per cent.
6.3

Per cent.

2.

21530

Subsoil

.0

1.2

3.7

69.8

19.6

4.2

1.4

J1531

Lower sub-

soil

.0

1.2

3.3

63.4

19.2

7.7

6.1

.

PORTSMOUTH CLAY.

The Portsmouth clay consists of a black sandy clay, underlain
3 to 5 inches by a very stiff, tenacious, sticky black clay which extei

[Cir. 21]

SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA.

15

to a depth of at least 3 feet. At various depths in the subsoil there
is sometimes a change of color to yellowish or greenish yellow.

As the line of contact with contiguous sandy land is approached
there is a gradual increase in depth of the lighter surface mantle,
until the type grades first into sandy loam and finally into sand.

The Portsmouth clay was encountered 5 or 6 miles northwest of
Brunswick. It occurs in stream, old drainage-way or sea-arm depres-
sions usually as comparatively narrow strips. Marl was found under-
lying an area of this soil at a depth ranging from about 15 to 24 inches.
It is possible that this calcareous material may have influenced in
some way the character of the type. The Portsmouth clay owes its
origin to deposition of fine material from overflow water or from
water that covered the depressions when lying at relatively lower
levels with respect to tide water.

By turning under vegetation and coarse barnyard manure, the
structure of the soil can be improved markedly and cultivation
thereby made much more feasible. Lime also could be used to
advantage as a means of securing a greater degree of friability.

Excellent crops of corn, forage, and probably oats and short staple
cotton, can be secured from this land without the use of fertilizer,
except possibly moderate applications of phosphoric acid as a stimu-
lant to crop maturity. Vegetables like okra and onions would do
well. An initial application of 1^ to 2 tons of burnt lime or 3 tons of
ground lime rock would increase the productiveness of this land.

A mechanical analysis of a sample of this soil was made, showing
' the following results :

Mechanical analysis of Portsmouth clay.

Number.

Description.

Fine
gravel.

Coarse
sand.

Medium
sand.

Fine
sand.

Very fine
sand.

Silt.

.Clay.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

21534

Soil

0.0

0.4

0.7

25.3

12.9

26.6

34.0

PORTSMOUTH MUCKY LOAM.

The Portsmouth mucky loam consists of a jet-black, very mucky
sandy loam to loam, underlain at about 20 inches by a compact,
rather plastic black clay, with a high organic matter content. The type
was seen in stream depressions in that part of the county where the
Portsmouth clay was examined. It is very similar to the latter type
in manner of origin, but has been made very much more loamy, owing
to a greater accumulation of decaying vegetable matter. The
growth of wild grass is very rank.

[Cir. 211

16

SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA.

The type needs heavy applications of lime and better under-
drainage. Onions, cabbage, corn, oats, crab grass, and forage crops
would do well without heavy fertilization.

The results of mechanical analyses of the soil and subsoil follow

Mechanical analyses of Portsmouth mucky loam.

Number.

Description.

Fine
gravel.

Coarse
sand.

Medium
sand.

Fine
sand.

Very fine
sand.

Silt.

Clay.

Percent.

Per cent.

Percent.

Percent.

Per cent.

Percent.

Per cent.

21532

Soil

0.2

1.0

1.8

34.7

12.7

21.1

28.3

21533

Subsoil

.0

1.0

2.0

38.9

12.2

17.9

27.9

COXVILLE FINE SANDY LOAM.

The soil of the Coxville fine sandy loam consists of 4 or 5 inches
of grayish fine sand, overlying a light-graj r fine sand that grades
into mottled gray and yellow sticky fine sand. At a depth varying
from about 15 to 24 inches the subsoil is encountered. This is a stiff
plastic fine sandy clay, mottled yellow, gray, brick-red, and some-
times yellowish-green in color.

Small pockets or thin layers of fine sand may be encountered at
various depths in the subsoil. Also a brownish hardpan layer may
be found anywhere from near the surface down to the subsoil.

The type occupies the slight slopes and higher land contiguous
areas of the Portsmouth soils. A lower lying, poorly drainec
grayish to drab colored heavier phase was seen in several places.

This soil was found best developed west of Brunswick in the vich
ity of Avoca Villa. It is a fine trucking soil, being particularly
adapted to tomatoes, English peas, cabbage, cauliflower, lettu<
radishes, asparagus, Irish potatoes, and sweet potatoes.

Subirrigation can be successfully practiced, especially where tl
hardpan layer is not nearer the surface than 15 inches, and thei
fore the type is admirably adapted to the production of celei
Tiling for subirrigation should be laid at a depth of 15 to 18 inch*

An acreage application of from 2 to 3 tons of a fertilizer analyzii
6 per cent phosphoric acid, 5 per cent nitrogen, and 7 per cent potasl
in conjunction with 10 to 20\tons of barnyard manure, would prol
ably prove efficacious for celery and lettuce. A ton of a
brand, with a heavy application of barnyard manure, would be sui
cient for cabbage, onions, cauliflower, and asparagus, while a sti
lighter application of the same brand would suffice for Irish potat
peas, radishes, and tomatoes. Sweet potatoes would not need vei
much strong barnyard manure. Cowpeas and velvet beans do we
and should be grown in rotation with other crops as a means of suj

[Cir. a]

SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA.

17

plying organic matter and otherwise improving the soil. Good
crops of cowpeas and crab grass hay and excellent grazing from vel-
vet beans can be secured. Corn, sugar cane, peanuts, and straw-
berries would also do quite well after vegetable or legume crops.

The lower lying, light-colored loamy phase mentioned above is a
rather unproductive soil in its present condition. It would require
thorough drainage, liming, deep plowing, and the incorporation of
large amounts of vegetable matter green crops, turned under, or
manure in order to be put in good condition for crops. Forage
crops, grass, and corn would do best in this phase.

The texture of the soil and subsoil of this type is shown by the
results of mechanical analyses given in the following table:

Mechanical analyses of Coxville fine sandy loam.

Number.

Description.

Fine
gravel.

Coarse
sand.

Medium
sand.

Fine
sand.

Very fine
sand.

Silt.

Clay.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

21525

Soil

0.1

0.3

0.5

32.2

55.5

7.2

4.4

21526

Subsoil

.0

.0

.2

24.0

35.7

8 2

31.9

AMELIA FINE SAND.

Of the upland soils the Amelia fine sand is by far the most exten-
sive type. It represents the wide stretches of piny-woods land.
Frequently the pine, as well as the undergrowth of palmetto, are of
a somewhat scrubby growth. Hickory is found here and there over
comparatively small areas. Such areas are locally styled "hickory
hammock," and are considered more productive than the average
of the type, being especially adapted to the pecan and the Scupper-
nong grape.

The Amelia fine sand consists of light-gray to almost white loose,
incoherent fine sand, averaging many feet in depth. A brownish
feebly cemented hardpan of variable thickness may be encountered
anywhere from the surface to a depth of 3 feet, but in the average
of the type this stratum is wanting. Under the greater part of this
soil the water table lies at depths below 3 feet, although it is often
encountered at 20 to 30 inches in areas near water, where the eleva-
tion above tide level is not so great.

Owing to the loose, open character of the soil, rain water rapidly
percolates below the reach of plants, and under ordinary seasonal
conditions crops suffer for lack of moisture. Very little of the type
is under cultivation. The only practical method of handling this
soil without irrigation, is to turn under green crops, such as cowpeas
and velvet beans, and to make heavy applications of barnyard

[Cir. 21]

SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA.

manure so as to build up a deep loamlike surface soil capable of re-
taining sufficient moisture to carry the early maturing crops through
dry spells. With sufficient moisture and very liberal use of high-
grade fertilizers and barnyard manure a great number of vegetables
could be grown. The degree of uncertainty, arising from the attend-
ant danger of droughts, necessarily lowers the value of the type,
and there are some who look upon such land as practically unsuited
to agriculture. There is no question that land with a clay subsoil
or even that with a hardpan or water table within 18 to 30 inches is
much surer of profitable returns, but it is not at all impossible to
handle the type in a profitable way. Even without irrigation early
sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, lettuce, and a number of other vege-
tables can be produced with fair success if planted upon land enriched
by turning under green crops or by applying barnyard refuse. With
surface irrigation, where the water is supplied by a system of spray-
ing or other means insuring thorough distribution, there would be
no difficulty in securing good yields of a great variety of vegetables.

The keynote to success with this soil is surface irrigation and
heavy fertilization including the frequent turning under of green
vegetable matter. Those areas having a hardpan subsoil or water
table near enough the surface to insure the success of subirrigation,
and such areas are found in a number of places, can be profitably
used for celery, lettuce, and other vegetables.

An analysis of the soil gives the following results:

MecJianical analysis of Amelia fine sand.

Number.

Description.

Fine
gravel.

Coarse
sand.

Medium
sand.

Fine
sand.

Very fine
sand.

Silt.

Clay

21521.

Soil.

Per cent.
0.2

Per cent.
0.9

Per cent.
2.9

Per cent.
60.7

Per cent.
23.7

Per cent.
6.8

Per cent.
4.8

CONGAREE CLAY.

The Congaree clay is the predominant soil of the river bottoms.
Several thousand acres are included in the rice plantations of the
Altamaha River. '

The type consists of a reddish-brown to dull chocolate-red clay,
slightly friable at the surface and mottled with drab and dark brown
below the first 6 or 8 inches. The depth is usually considerably over
feet, the lower portion being decidedly plastic. The level of the wa
table is usually about 14 to 24 inches below the surface. Lying below
the level of high tides and flood water, diking is necessary for the recla-
mation of the type. Utilization of these flat river flood plains was
begun over one hundred years ago, when levees were built along the

[Clr. 21]

;;;

SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA. 19

water front and ditches dug for drainage and the distribution of irriga-
tion water. Canals have been carried through the plantations, cutting
them into small fields or sections of convenient size for irrigation,
and ditches cut through the fields to insure proper distribution and
drainage.

At first sugar cane, cotton, rice, peas, and corn were grown, but
rice proved so profitable from the beginning that it was soon grown to
the practical exclusion of the others. The soil is admirably adapted
to this crop; and notwithstanding the strong competition that has
arisen from the recent extensive development of the rice industry in
Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas, its production here has been main-
tained upon a profitable basis, a fact partly accounted for in the
excellent quality of the product. That a large cleaning mill has just
been completed at Sterling is an indication of local confidence in the
future of this industry in Glynn County. Some complaint of decreased
yields is heard, which is not in the least surprising when it is considered
that the land has been cultivated to the same crop almost continuously
for a century and rarely or never plowed deeper than 3 or 4 inches.
Some land is "rested" during alternate years, but it is believed that
rotation with cowpeas, velvet beans, or other crops, coupled with
deeper plowing and an application of 1 to 2 tons of lime or 3 tons of
ground limestone per acre, would prove a much more profitable plan.
With frequent additions of silt and clay sediments from irrigation water
it is difficult to conceive of a more fertile soil than this deep alluvium,
representing largely material transported from the productive Pied-
mont section. Its productivity can but depend upon careful soil
treatment, and acreage yields of less than 50 bushels of rice should be
of rare occurrence. There are no insect pests attacking the rice, but
considerable grain is lost through the depredations of rice birds, unless
these are scared off by gunners.

Occasionally serious damage is done by flood water breaking over
the dikes during storms. Careful and timely repair of weak places
in the dikes will reduce danger from this source to a minimum of neg-
ligible importance. A great disadvantage rests in the necessity of
hand harvesting. No practical machine for operation under the
soggy, miry conditions existing at harvesting time subsequent to the
withdrawal of the "harvest flow" has been perfected.

Several varieties of rice are grown, the Carolina, Honduras, Japa-
nese, and Golden being the important ones. The usual method of
handling this crop in the Carolina-Georgia rice belt is to break the
land to a depth of 3 or 4 inches and harrow. The seed, planted in
drills about 14 inches apart, is lightly covered and water turned on
after a brief interval. In a few days this "sprout flow" is drawn off
and the ground allowed to stand dry until the grain is well up, when a

[Cir. 21]

SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA.

second application of water or" stretch flow" is made. During this
flooding the water remains on the field for fifteen to thirty days, de-
stroying grass and hastening crop growth. The "dry growth," or
period of cultivation, follows the removal of this water. The crop is
usually cultivated once with the horse hoe and from two to three
times with the hand hoe. When the plant begins to joint, water is
again turned on and gradually increased in depth until the heads are
nearly reached, where it is kept until the grain is ripe. The " har-
vest flow" is now removed and the crop cut with the hand hook, or
sickle.

In addition to its admirable adaptation to rice, the Congaree clay
has proved to be well suited to Bermuda onions, cabbage, Irish pota-
toes, snap beans, cowpeas, lettuce, and certain varieties of tomatoes.
The Clay, Unknown, and Whippoorwill varieties of cowpeas give best
results. Heavy yields of cabbage, beans, and Bermuda onions have
been made, and there seems on this type very attractive opportunities
for a considerable extension in the production of these crops. A field
of cotton seen at the time of this investigation, though badly affected
by anthracnose, indicated a yield of one-half bale per acre. Vari-
eties of cotton bred upon a sandy upland could scarcely be expected
to succeed here, but it is believed that successful bottom-land types
could be evolved.

Lime should be used liberally and crop rotation practiced in order
to secure and maintain good soil conditions. Applications of phos-
phoric acid would tend to hasten maturity and otherwise prove bene-
ficial on this soil.

"Fire weed," or "careless weed," is said to cause considerable
trouble in cotton fields, on account of the difficulty of its eradication
by other means than flooding.

The heavy character of this soil is shown in the following table
giving the results of a mechanical analysis :

Mechanical analysis of Congaree clny.

Number.

Description.

Coarse
sand.

Medium
sand.

Fine
sand.

Very fine
sand.

Silt.

Clay.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

Per cent.

21522

Soil

0.0

0.4

0.4

1.7

0.6

41.0

.56.1

CONOAREE MUCKY SANDY LOAM.

The Congaree mucky sandy loam consists of 6 to 8 inches of almc
black heavy sandy loam, rich in organic matter, overlying a light
gray compact sand that usually passes into mottled clay at a deptl
of about 2 feet, though it sometimes extends to a depth of 3 feet
more. This soil is known locally as "bay land."

[Clr. 2ll

SOILS IN THE VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK, GA. 21

It is well suited to rice, sugar cane, cabbage, celery, okra, Irish
potatoes, sweet potatoes, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and possibly
other vegetables. The Wilcox, a large variety of sweet potato, is
grown to a considerable extent for canning. Yields of 210 bushels
of Irish potatoes per acre are reported. Corn, cowpeas, and velvet
beans would do well.

This soil should be used more extensively for the production of
vegetables. Strips of considerable extent were seen in the rice fields
of Hofwyl, Evelyn, and Altama plantations.

PEAT.

Several strips of Peat occur near the foot of the bluif bordering
the Altamaha River bottoms. It consists of black mucky material,
underlain at a depth of a few inches by brownish peaty vegetable
matter. On boring into this material, as in case of the other rice
lands, decayed cypress logs were encountered.

This is an ideal celery soil, and is well adapted to onions, cabbage,
peppers, okra, squash, and tomatoes. Rice also does well. Situated
so that drainage and irrigation can be effected at will, excellent
opportunities are here offered for growing the crops named.

HUGH H. BENNETT,

In charge Eastern Division of Soil Survey.
Approved :

JAMES WILSON,

Secretary of Agriculture.

{Clr. 21]

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