CHAPTER XXIV.. The Recognition of Soil Character From the Native

THE RECOGNITION OF SOIL CHARACTER FROM THE NATIVE VEGETATION; MISSISSIPPI, 487.—Climatic and Soil Conditions, 487.—Natural Vegetation the Basis of Land Values in the United States, 488.—Investigation of Causes Governing Distribution of Native Vegetation, 488.—Investigations in Mississippi, 489.—Vegetative Belts in Northern Mississippi, 490.—Sketch Map of Same, with Tabulation of Lime Content and Native Vegetation, 490.—Lime Apparently a Governing Factor, 492.—Soil Belts in Southern Mississippi, 493.—Vegetative and Soil Features of Coast Belts. Diagram, 495.—Table of Plant-Food percentages and Native Growth, 496.—Definition of Calcareous Soils, 496.—Differences in the Form and Development of Trees, 498.—Forms of the Post Oak. Figures, 498.—Forms of the Black Jack Oak. Figures, 500.—Characteristic Forms of other Oaks, 502.—Sturdy Growth on Calcareous Lands, 502.—Growth of Cotton, 503.—Lime Favors Fruiting, and compact Growth, 504.—Physical vs. Chemical Causes of Vegetative Features, 505.—Lowland Tree Growth, 506.—Contrast between “First” and “Second” Bottoms, 506.—Tree Growth of the First Bottoms. The Cypress, 507.—Figures of Swamp and Upland Cypress, 508.—Other Lowland Trees, 509.—General Forecasts of Soil Quality in Forest Lands, 509.