20180690 Ver 1_Riparian Buffer Authorization_20180521

State of North Carolina
Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Water Resources Division of Water Resources
15A NCAC 02B.0233 (8)(b),.0243 (8)(b),.0250 (11)(b),.0259 (8)(b),.0267 (11)(c),.0607 (e)(2) - Buffer Authorization
FORM: BA 10-2013
Riparian Buffer Authorization Form
A.
Applicant Information
1.
Project Information
1a. Name of project: MELANSON_SEA_GATE
1 b. County: Cateret
1c. Nearest municipality: Newport
1 d. Subdivision name: Sea Gate
1e. Is the project located in any of North Carolina's twenty coastal counties?
If yes, answer 1f below.
X[XYes ❑ No
1f. Is the project located within a NC Division of Coastal Management Area of
Environmental Concern (AEC)?
XX Yes ❑ No
2.
Owner Information
2a. Name on Recorded Deed:
Domenique R. Melanson and Deborah J. Melanson
2b. Deed Book and Page No.
1531
2c. Map Book and Page No.
(include a copy of the
recorded map that indicates
when the lot was created):
146
2d. Responsible Party
(for Corporations):
2e. Street address:
1046 Sea Gate Drive
2f. City, state, zip:
Newport, NC, 28570
()
2g. Telephone no.:
978-868-0771 or 978-868-0771
Iry
2h. Fax no.:
252-838-9730
RM
2i. Email address:
[e-mail]
3.
Applicant Information (if different from owner)
3a. Applicant is: ❑ Agent ❑ Other, specify:
3b. Name:
3c. Business name
if applicable):
3d. Street address:
3e. City, state, zip:
3f. Telephone no.:
3g. Fax no.:
3h. Email address:
4.
Agent/Consultant Information (if applicable)
4a. Name:
4b. Business name
if applicable):
4c. Street address:
4d. City, state, zip:
4e. Telephone no.:
4f. Fax no.:
4g. Email address:
FORM: BA 10-2013 Page 1 of 5

B.
Project Information and Prior Project History
1.
Property Identification
1a. Property identification no. (tax PIN or parcel ID): 6491.03.22.17530001-96-1-97 B-I S-1 SEA
GATE
1b. Site coordinates (in decimal degrees): Latitude: 34'51'43"N I Longitude: 76'41'32"W
1c. Property size: 1/4 acres
2.
Surface Waters
2a. Name of nearest body of water to proposed project: ADAMS CREEK
2b. Water Quality Classification of nearest receiving water: SA• H W
2c. River basin: Neuse River
3.
Project Description
3a. Describe the existing conditions on the site and the general land use in the vicinity of the project at the time of
this application:
This is a double lot with a single family home and a 8X12 shed as a primary residence.
3b. Attach an 8'/z x 11 excerpt from the most recent version of the USGS topographic map indicating the location
of the site
3c. Attach an 8'/ x 11 excerpt from the most recent version of the published County NRCS Soil Survey Map
depicting the project site
3d. List the total estimated linear feet of all existing streams (intermittent and perennial) on the property:
220
3e. Explain the purpose of the proposed project:
Car and storage garage
3f. Describe the overall project in detail, including the type of equipment to be used:
Extended 2 car garage with work area with normal construction equipment
4.
Jurisdictional Determinations
4a. Have jurisdictional wetland or stream determinations by
the Corps or State been requested or obtained for this
property/ project(including all priorphases) in thepast?
El Yes ❑ No xR&Unknown
Comments:
4b. If yes, who delineated the jurisdictional areas?
Name (if known):
Agency/ Consultant Company:
Other:
4c. If yes, list the dates of the Corps jurisdictional determinations or State determinations and attach
documentation.
5.
Project History
5a. Have permits or certifications been requested or obtained
for this project(including all priorphases) in thepast?
❑ Yes x�Q No ❑ Unknown
5b. If yes, explain and detail according to "help file" instructions.
6.
Future Project Plans
6a. Is this a phased project? I ❑ Yes —xU No
6b. If yes, explain.
FORM: BA 10-2013 Page 2 of 5

C. Proposed Impacts Inventory
1. Buffer Impacts
1a. Project is in which protected basin? x❑ Neuse ❑ Tar -Pamlico ❑ Catawba
B1 [-]P [:]T
New garage
❑ Randleman ❑ Jordan
❑ Goose Creek
1 b. Individually list all buffer impacts
below. If any impacts require mitigation,
then you MUST fill out Section D of
this form.
Will the project result in an impact within a protected riparian buffer that
requires buffer mitigation?
❑ Yes No
2b.
Buffer impact
Reason for
Type of impact
Stream name
Buffer
Zone 1
Zone 2
number -
impact
(exempt, allowable,
If buffer mitigation is required, is payment to a mitigation bank or NC DMS ❑ Yes ❑ No
proposed?
mitigation
impact
impact
Permanent (P)
2f.
allowable w/
required?
(sq ft)
(sq ft)
or Temporary
mitigation)
T
B1 [-]P [:]T
New garage
Allowable
Core Creek
ElYes F� No
Specifically describe measures taken to avoid or minimize the proposed impacts through construction
techniques.
36'x 24'
864
2a.
Will the project result in an impact within a protected riparian buffer that
requires buffer mitigation?
D. Impact Justification and Mitigation
1. Avoidance and Minimization
1a.
Specifically describe measures taken to avoid or minimize the proposed impacts in designing project.
1 b.
Specifically describe measures taken to avoid or minimize the proposed impacts through construction
techniques.
2. Buffer Mitigation
2a.
Will the project result in an impact within a protected riparian buffer that
requires buffer mitigation?
❑ Yes No
2b.
If yes, then identify the square feet of impact to each zone of the riparian buffer that requires mitigation and
calculate the amount of mitigation required in the table below.
Zone
Reason for impact Total impact Multiplier Required mitigation
(square feet square feet
Zone 1
3 (2 for Catawba)
Zone 2
1.5
Total buffer mitigation required:
2c.
If buffer mitigation is required, is payment to a mitigation bank or NC DMS ❑ Yes ❑ No
proposed?
2d.
If yes, attach the acceptance letter from the mitigation bank or NC DMS.
2e.
If no, then discuss what type of mitigation is proposed.
2f.
Comments:
FORM: BA 10-2013 Page 3 of 5

E. Diffuse Flow Plan
All buffer impacts and high ground impacts require diffuse flow or other form of
i Diffuse flow
stormwater treatment. Include a plan that fully documents how diffuse flow will be
Other BMP
maintained. If a Level Spreader is proposed, attach a Level Spreader Supplement Form.
1 b. If you answered "yes" to the above, does the project require preparation of an
If due to site constraints, a BMP other than a level spreader is proposed, please provide a
environmental document pursuant to the requirements of the National or State (North
plan for stormwater treatment as outlined in Chapter 8 of the NC Stormwater BMP
Carolina) Environmental Policy Act NEPA/SEPA ?
Manual and attach a BMP Supplement Form.
1c. If you answered "yes" to the above, has the document been finalized by the State
Diff uase Flow Plan: A Cistern system will be used to collect water and any excess water beyond its capacitv
will be directed to a series of leaker hoses used to water gardens. The water from the Cistern will also be
used for the same purpose.
F. Supplementary Information
1. Environmental Documentation
1 a. Does the project involve an expenditure of public (federal/state/local) funds or the
❑ Yes xJZ No
use of public federal/state land?
1 b. If you answered "yes" to the above, does the project require preparation of an
❑ Yes ❑ No
environmental document pursuant to the requirements of the National or State (North
Carolina) Environmental Policy Act NEPA/SEPA ?
1c. If you answered "yes" to the above, has the document been finalized by the State
❑ Yes ❑ No
Clearing House? (If so, attach a copy of the NEPA or SEPA final approval letter.)
Comments:
2. Violations
2a. Is the site in violation of DWR Wetland Rules (15A NCAC 02H .0500), Isolated
❑ Yes XKNo
Wetland Rules (15A NCAC 02H .1300), DWR Surface Water or Wetland Standards,
or Riparian Buffer Rules 15A NCAC 02B .0200)?
2b. Is this an after -the -fact permit application?
❑ Yes x2 No
2c. If you answered "yes" to one or both of the above questions, provide an explanation of the violation(s):
&"iye_ x.mec-a✓Sd/i 433aa.�� )Q.
Applicant/Agenfs Printed Name P Applicant/Agent's Signature Date
(Agent's signature is valid only if an authorization letter from the applicant is provided.)
Send 3 complete sets of this form and accompanying documents to the following:
For government transportation projects sent by
First Class Mail via the US Postal Service:
NC DWR, Transportation Permitting Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699 - 1617
For all other projects sent by First Class Mail via
the US Postal Service
For government transportation projects sent by
delivery service (UPS, FedEx, etc.):
OR NC DWR, Transportation Permitting Unit
512 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27604
OR For all other projects sent by delivery service
(UPS, FedEx, etc.):
FORM: BA 10-2013 Page 4 of 5

Karen Higgins
NCDWR — 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699 - 1617
Karen Higgins
NCDWR — 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
512 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27604
FORM: BA 10-2013 Page 5 of 5

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�o i a AY Lot is in FLOOD ZONE AE BFE = 8.0'
�p/r/ir7���✓i Y �' �'�rC� The lowest finished floor,electric,utilities,etc. shall
be set at 9.0'+ Benchmark is nail set in power
pole at southwest corner of lot at ELEV.= 8.0'
G Sr"vtl -071. 'i r= C3 c • r� s,,: s
4. r n7�e,) Puatt
I, `%VAM, -
rrlalWa3idyne Johnson, hereby
SURVEY FOR �^
-
certify that this map is correct
and that the buildings lie wholly
i
f r
on the lot and that there are no
)9�
encroachments of other buildings
on the said lot.
GGIicTE Ns,y/fi2�/'
SCALE
`/ 30r
�
VERNON WAYNE JOHNSON
Regi_tered surveyor -
C OSUT'e
L-? C9E
Th15 nap i3 not for recordin 9'
/ PATE
p /:;I_
6900 Hickory Drive
ENGINEERING 9
Ralel h, N.C. 2?603 S U R V E Y l N C
(919)772•&640
T

Soria 1939, No. 3. Issued November 1838
Carteret County
North Carolina
B9
S. O. PERKINS. in Chan*. and M. W. BECK
United States Department of Agriculture
and
E. F. GOLDSTON, J. A. SUTTON, and
WILLIAM GETTYS
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and
North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY AND SOILS
In cooperation with the
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and
North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station
Ter sDu by the surra mENDENT or DocQDIEI+iTi, w"nmaTON, D. c. Mee 40 ceatt

BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY AND SOILS
Blow G. »TIGHT, Ohre►
W. W. BB.INNRB, Aeeratest Met
W. L. THIOTON, Chrd. Is►onsattes DWWoM1
Sots Suavax Dttiema
CHARIM AL KELLOGG, Chief
W. m EMARN. rsepsotor, bubtat t
W. McK=CH1C% to Charge Key Drof ting
O00rsaA710N
Nowa CAzomA DaraxrxzxT or Aostc=Tuzz
W. A. GRAHAM. CoasNeNoser
and
Nowm OAsorjNA Ao4iCULTIIaAL ExpEaImSNT BTATIoN
B. Y. W TERS, Direotur
C. B. WnJAAMR, is Chorpe Sort Harvey
CONT$NTS
Yaie
County surveyed--------------------------------------------------
Climate-- ---------------------------------------
Agricultural history and statistics------------------------------------
Boll -survey methods and definitions----------------------------------
Soilsand crops----------------------------------------------------
Light-colored well -drained soils---------------------------
orfoko fine sandy loam ----------------------------------------
Norfolk fine sandy loam, deep phase-----------------------------
Norfolk fine sand----------------------------------------------
Craven fine sandy loam----------------------------------------
Craven fine sandy loam, fiat phase-------------------------------
Dunbar fine sandy loam ----------------------------------------
Light-colored imperfectly drained soils-----------------------------
Onslow fine sandy loam ----------------------------------------
Onslow loamy fine sand----------------------------------------
Bladen fine sandy loam -----------------------------------------
Baden fine sandy loam, low phase-------------------------------
Plummer fine sandy loam ---------------------------------------
Back poorly drained soils----------------------------------------
Portsmouth fine sandy loam ------------------------------------
Portsmouth fine sandy loam, swamp phase -----------
Portsmouth loam ----------------------------------------------
Bayboroloam -------------------------------------------------20
Hyde loam ---------------------------------------------------
orginic soils----------------------------------------------------
Pamlico muck-------------------------------------------------
Pamlico muck, shallow phase-----------------------------------
Peat---------------------------------------------------------
Miscellaneous soils and and types---------------------------------
Blanton fine sand ---------------------------------------------
Portsmouth fine sand------------------------------------------
Lp�ou fine sand_
St. Johns fine send— -------------------------------------------
St. Lucie fine mud---------------------------------------------
Swemp-------------------------------------------------------
beach
Tc�" beach'scrub" "ae-------------------------------------
Land uses and ;Fploultursl methods----------------------------------
1
3
4
7
8
9
10
11
12
18
14
14
16
16
16
16
17
18
18
19
19
20
21
21
22
22
23
23
28
24
24
26
26
26
27
27
Morphology and genesis of soils-------------------------------------
Suzy-------------------- ------------------------------------
29
38

SOIL SURVEY OF CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH
CAROLINA
By R. O. MMINB, is Chsrgo, sad �I. W. BSC[. United Bates Deosrteeat of Agrlealtare.
ani S. H. 00LDBION. J.
A. BUTTON. sad WILLIAK ST1?8. North
Canllea Dsl: ue and North Carolm
Station
COUNTY SURVEYED
Carteret County is in the southeastern part of North Carolina, its
eastern and southern boundaries bordering the Atlantic Ocean
(fig. 1). Beaufort, the county seat, is 135 miles southeast of Raleigh,
the State capital. The county is very irregular in outline, being
out by large short tidal streams, bays, and sounds. The total land
area is 532 square miles, or 340,480 acres.
The relief in
general is that of
a low flat plain,
broken only by
n arrow shallow
valleys. The most
noticeable features
are the gently roll-
ing or undulating WMIM
areas which extend•�_
inland f r o m the Mu. I.—Sketch map showing location of Carteret County, N. C.
mouths of streams
for a few hundred feet to a mile or more. In a few places along
Bogue Sound, bluffs rise from 5 to 15 feet above sea level. The
areas bordering the marsh near the mouth of Hunters Creek,
along Bogue Sound, Whiteoak River and its small tributaries,
and along part of Newport River and Core Creek have a more rolling
relief than elsewhere in the county. The intervening areas have an
undulating to flat relief broken only by small slight ridges, hum-
mocks, and depressions. The banks along the ocean in most places
are very hummocky and dunelike, except on Portsmouth Island and
Core Banks, where they are nearly level. In the northern, north-
eastern, and northwestern parts of the county are extensive areas
of almost level land which include the great Open Grounds and
Lakes Pocosin. These large nearly level areas have an almost im-
perceptible gradient from the center outward. Many smaller flat
areas occur near the sources of streams.
The elevation ranges from sea level to about 30 feet above. The
highest point in the county is probably in the vicinity of Stella.
The elevation at Beaufort is 10 feet above sea level.
Drainage is effected through W iteoak, Newport, North, Neuse,
and South Rivers, and short tidal streams. Part of the upland near
2887-438 1

BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY AND SOILS, 1935
the streams, especially along Bogue Sound and Whiteoak River is
naturally well drained, but on practically every farm ditches are
necessary to carry off the surplus water. There are no natural
drainageways in the pocosins and other flats. Owing to their low
position and lack of natural drainage outlets, the swamps and
marshes cannot be drained and are covered with water at intervals
throughout the year. The stream valleys are narrow and the streams
are sluggish, but in the earlier days some of the streams furnished
enough power to run gristmills, the sites of which are marked by old
dams and mills. The streams rise at an elevation of 10 feet below
the general level of the upland, and their mouths are at sea level.
The entire northeastern half of the county is so low and flat that
during the storm of September 1933 water from Neuse River and
Pamlico Sound covered all that part of the county to a depth ranging
from 3 to 8 feet.
In the eastern part of the county is a large area of treeless land,
locally known as the Open Grounds, now owned by the University
of Chicago. Several years ago an attempt was made to reclaim
this land. Canals and ditches were dug at considerable expense,
but the proiect has been abandoned. This large open treeless area has
never been forested, according to information from the earlier settlers.
It does, however, support a thick undergrowth of titi, baybushes
gallberry bushes, coarse grasses, and in some places bamboo anc�
reeds.
Most of the forested areas have been cut over and the trees are
being replaced by young pines. The original forest on the well -
drained areas consisted principally of longleaf pine and a few
loblolly pine, and in a few places a good growth of these trees is
found. In some of the less well drained areas, most of the tree
growth consists of loblolly pine with some pond pine and longleaf
pine. In the p000sins and bordering the Open Grounds, the prin-
cipal growth is a gnarly topped pine. The hardwood growth is
negligible and includes only a few small red, white, post, and scrub
oaks, hickory, dogwood, beech, and maple. Sweetgum, tupelo gum,
and some cypress, poplar ash, swamp maple, birch, and water oak
comprise the tree growth on the more swampy areas. There is
an undergrowth of baybushes, myrtle, gallberry, some holly, and
various kinds of briers on nearly all the forested areas.
Carteret County was one of the original precincts of the Lords
Proprietor and derived its name from one of them, Sir George
Carteret. The earliest settlements in the county were made be-
tween 1700 and 1710. The settlers were mostly English, French
Huguenots, and some Welsh Quakers. The present population con-
sists of their descendants and persons who have migrated from other
parts of the State and from Virginia.'
The 1930 census reports the population of the county as 16,900,
of which 10,460 are classed as rural. The average density of the
rural population is 18.2 persons a square mile. Native whites con-
stitute 84.7 percent, Negroes 15 percent, and foreign -born whites 0.3
percent. The population is very unevenly distributed, as practically
all the inhabitants live within a mile of navigable waters. The most
I Historical data obtained mainly from the following publication: wHEELEk, J. H.
BINTORICAL BHETCHES OF NORTH CAROLINA FROM 1684 TO IMI. A REPRINT Oi THE ORIGINAL
•DITION AS WRITTEN IN is61, with a foreword by M. MCH. Shuford. 2 v. In 1, 840 pp.,
Illus. New York. 1025.

SOIL SURVEY OF CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
thickly populated part is a]ong United States Highway No. 70 from
Newport to Morehead City and from Beaufort to Atlantic, and in the
vicinities of Marshallburg Straits, Gloucester, Harkers Island, Roe,
Stacy, Davis, Bogue, and Klla.
Beaufort, with a population of 2,957, is the county seat. More-
head City, with a population of 8,483, is the largest town in the
county and lies just across Newport River from Beaufort. Other
,in
towns are Atlantic with a population of 685 and Newport
with 482. Marshallburg, Davis, Sealevel, Stacy, Stella, and Smyrna
are important trading- centers.
Transportation facilities are good. Nearly every section is within
easy reach of a railroad station, hard -surfaced road, or water trans-
portation. The Atlantic & North Carolina and the Norfolk South-
ern Railroads extend into the county through Newport and More-
head City to Beaufort. Transportation for the northeastern part is
by bus, truck, or boat. The county is also well supplied with high-
ways. United States Highway No. 70 enters the northwesternpart
and passes through Newport Morehead City, Beaufort, and alongg
Core Sound to Atlantic. A tate highway enters near the mouth of
Whiteoak River runs along the southern side, and intersects with
the Federal highway just west of Morehead City. Another State
hi hway extends from Beaufort to Harlowe Church and continues
to New Bern in Craven County. These three roads are hard -surfaced
with sand asphalt. The few secondary roads are kept in fairly good
repair. The inland waterway passes through Bogue Sound and be-
tween Morehead City and Beaufort, up Core Creek, into Adams
Creek, and thence into Neuse River. This waterway affords trans-
portation for the county as well as passage for private yachts and
boats plying between Florida and the North
Schools and churches are within easy access of everyone. Most
of the schools are consolidated and have modern buildings. Tele-
phone service is available in most sections. Either star or rural free
delivery mail routes extend to all parts.
There are several lumber mills in the county, the largest of which
is in Beaufort. Several mills manufacture fish and crab boxes.
Factories for manufacturing fish scrap, fish meal, and fish oil are
located near Beaufort and Morehead City,
The shipping of fish, crabs, clams, scallops, and oysters is an im-
portant business and the main source of income of a large part
Of the population on Cedar Island, in the section between Atlantic
and Davis on Harkers Island, and in Portsmouth, Salter Path, and
Lukens. ls many as 200,000 pounds of fish are shipped out of Beau-
fort in 1 week. Richmond, Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia,
and New York are the principal northern markets. Considerable
revenue is derived in Beaufort and Morehead City from summer
visitors. The people around Davis, Cedar Island, and other places
along the sounds receive some revenue for accommodating hunters
during the open season of migratory birds.
CLIMATE
Owing to the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean, the climate of
Carteret County is mild throughout the year. The sea breezes along
the coast during the hot summer and the mild winters make this an
ideal climate. Cover crops and hardy vegetables can be grown dur-

BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY AND SOILS, 1985
ing the winter, and outdoor work can be carried on. The ground
very seldom freezes and then only a thin crust forms which thaws
very quickly. The snowfall is very light and lasts only a short time.
Broccoli, turnT tops, and cabbage can be grown successfully during
the winter. Truck crops, such as early cabbage, English peas,
potatoes, beets, string beans, and tomatoes, are profitable early spring
crops. As many as two, and sometimes three, crops are produced on
the same land in 1 year.
The average annual rainfall is 5126 inches. It is well distributed
throughout the year1 being heaviest during the growing season.
The frost -free period, between the average last killingfrost in the
spring (Mar. 8) and the average first in the fall (Dec. 3, is 270 days,
or almost 9 months. FTost has been recorded as early as November
2 and as late as April 15.
Table 1, compiled from the records of the United States Weather
Bureau station at Beaufort, gives the more important climatic data
for Carteret County.
TAsra 1. -Normal monthly, seasonal, and annual temperature and precipitation
at Beaufort, Carteret County, N. C.
[Rlevatlou. 10 (wt)
1 Trace.
AGRICULTURAL HISTORY AND STATISTICS
Agriculture and fishing have been the chief occupations since the
first permanent settlement. Agriculture began about 1700 and was
confined to the better drained soils near the mouths of the streams and
sounds and to areas where drainage could be effected by open ditches.
The early agriculture consisted o the production of corn, wheat, rice,
Temperature
Preolpitatlon
Total
Total
Month
Mean
Absolute
mail-
mum
Absolute
mini-
mum
Mean
amount
for the
driest
year
(1911)
amount
for theavereee
wettest
year
(1908)
snow,
depth
December ......................
ia0uery_.-_.--•_.--_-------
February .................•_-._
OF.
49.1
4&1
48.4
*F.
73
73
71
° F.
8
4
13
Inc6a
4.41
3.96
CO3
la
Inch"
4 70
237
.96
lash""
4.96
4.80
6.00
Juan
0.8
.6
.9
winter ...................
49'5
73
4
1240
&02
1t 76
1.6
63 6
at 1
83
83
24
82
8.96
3.27
4.16
1 80
6.08
4.27
(�)
.0
March_________________________
April___________________________
KAY ------------------- --------
e9.6
92
45
3.46
126
ll.or
.0
Spring-------------------
61.4
92
24
10 67
7.22
21 42
.0
76 3
79.9
79.6
97
96
96
63
60
62
4 66
6.08
&"
1.72
1.91
4.73
2.81
1233
11.49
.0
.0
.0
rune---------------------------
luly ............................
August_________________________
Summer -----------------
78.6
97
63
1&14
&36
26.68
.0
76. 1
66 7
b6.J
96
87
78
60
37
24
4 76
4.41
2 89
-
3 66
3 49
2.03
A 39
10 73
1.89
-ssor-o
.0
.0
(q
September---------------------
Dctober........................
November .....................
FsU----------------------
60 6
9b
24
-
12 06
9.17
18 OlF-160
03 7
97
4
-,
61.28
3277
--
-_Year
8Q 81
.....................
1 Trace.
AGRICULTURAL HISTORY AND STATISTICS
Agriculture and fishing have been the chief occupations since the
first permanent settlement. Agriculture began about 1700 and was
confined to the better drained soils near the mouths of the streams and
sounds and to areas where drainage could be effected by open ditches.
The early agriculture consisted o the production of corn, wheat, rice,

$OIL SURVEY OF CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 5
and oats for subsistence crops, and sweetpotatoes and some potatoes
and cotton for cash crops. Cattle, sheep, and hogs were raised.
From the earliest reports, there were a large number of mash ponies
on the marshes and banks bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Practically
all the Ponies were drowned in the storm of September 1933. The
production of lumber, tar, Pitch, and turpentine constituted an im-
portant industry. Turpentine, pitch, tar, rosin, corn, rice, cotton,
lumber, and piling were the principal products exported. About
1900 the production of pitch tar, and turpentine ceased, owing to
the resources being practicaliy exhausted, but the lumber industry
has continued.
According to the 1935 Federal census, land in farms included 17
percent of the area of the county, or 62,330 acres, of which 17,549
acres were cropland or plowable pasture, 2,208 acres woodland pas-
ture, 1,080 acres other pasture, 34,221 acres woodland not pastured,
and 742 acres other land. There were 885 farms, and their aver-
age size was 70.4 acres. Of these, 601 ranged from 3 to 49 acres and
3 Included 1,000 or more acres. In addition, there are some large
landholdings and a few large timber holdings comprising several
thousand acres. The Federal Government has recently acquired over
30,000 acres of forest and cut -over land in the southwestern part of
the county for a national forest.
According to the 1880 Federal census the leading crops, in order of
their acreages, were corn, cotton, sweetpotatoes, wheat, and rice. The
present-day agriculture is based on the production of corn, hay,
sweetpotatoes, potatoes, peanuts, soybeans, tobacco, cotton, and
truck crops. The tobacco, cotton, truck crops, potatoes, and sweet -
potatoes are cash crops. Table 2 gives the acreages of the principal
crops for the census years from 1879 to 1934, inclusive.
TABLE 2. -Acreages of principal orops in Carteret County, N. C., in stated years
Crop
1879
1888
1899
1888
1919
1989
190{
Axa
Acres
Axa
Aero
Aero
Aero
Aero
Corn---------------------------
6,156
8,818
6,578
5,387
4,478
4,199
41852
8�vestpofBtoeS------------------
834
1,153
787
1,188
1,050
1,417
%740
Peanuts ........................
..........
934
519
1,117
41
1, an
11493
Potatoes .......................
..........
2D4
118
690
1,100
1,685
4loylrewss ------------------•---
----------
- ......81_
.-
__. -
]Bo
1.291
1.009
Tobacco.-----------------------
1
----
1T2
291
901
1.719
1,007
Cotton-------------------------
1,935
2,800
1,488
$043
9,849
988
587
Hay----------------------------
49
74
247
915
541
1,159
2,490
The acreage in corn has been fairly constant since 1879, but the
acre yield has increased. In 1934, 59,641 bushels of corn were ob-
tained from 4,852 acres. It is grown to greater or less extent on all
the cultivated soils. It is used mainly as a subsistence crop to feed
the work animals, to fatten hogs, and to be ground into meal for
home use. A little is sold for cash.
The acreage in cotton has decreased considerably; only 587 acres
were planted in 1934, yielding 356 bales. Cotton yields in this
county are higher than the average for the State.
The production of tobacco has steadily increased. In 1934 this
crop was grown on 1,007 acres which yielded 766,080 pounds.
Tobacco is grown on the light-colored well -drained soils in the
western part of the county.

BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY AND SOIL$, 1935
About $400,000 annually is derived from the sale of sweetpotatoes,
potatoes, cabbage, tomatoes, turnip tops, broccoli, snap beans, English
peas, watermelons, and cantaloups. Cabbage and tomato plants also
are sold. Most of the truck crops are grown in the vicinity of
Beaufort, near Morehead City and in the North River section.
In 1879 only 49 acres were Wevoted to hay. In 1934 this crop was
grown on 2,496 acres which yielded 2,003 tons. The recent expansion
is owing to an increase in the number of cattle. Most of the hay is
obtained from legumes. Legumes for hay were grown on 2,806 acres
and yielded 1,844 tons in 1934. Soybeans became an important crop
in 1919. They were grown on 1,068 acres and yielded 8,409 bushels
in 1934.
Practically no rice and very little wheat has been grown since
1900. The production of potatoes, sweetpotatoes, and peanuts has
steadily Increased. The acreage in vegetables, other than potatoes
and sweetpotatoes, has likewise Increased, and in 1934 watermelons,
cabbage, snap beans, and tomatoes for sale were produced on 546
508, 418, and 81 acres, respectively. English peas, broccoli, awd
turnip tops are also grown.
In 1935 there were 282 horses, 708 mules, 1,473 cattle, 255 sheep,
4,039 hogs, and 27,537 chickens on farms. The number of cattle was
considerably greater than that reported in 1930 although not so great
as the number In 1920. Some hogs and poultry are shipped out of
the county.
Three small dairies are located in the vicinities of Beaufort and
Morehead City. The milk supply seems to be sufficient for local
demands. Most of the dairy cows are Jerseys and Guernseys.
Table 3 gives the value of all agricultural products, by classes,
in 1929.
TAsra 9.—Value of agricultural products, by classes, in Carteret County, N. C.,
in 1989
Crop
Value
Uvesto* and products
Value
Oereals-------------------------------------
Other grains and Beads ......................
$70,028
84.409
Domestic animals -----------------
Dairy products sold.------------------
8189,24,918
in
Hay and forage -------------------_-------
Vegetables (including potatoes and sweet-
41,034
Poultry and eggs ......................
Wool
72.4%
pot,toss)------------------•---------•----
31K 758
..................................
20%3n
Prolix and nuts .............................
Farm garden vegetables (excluding potatoes
10.823
Total ---------------------------
1,184, 211
and sweatpotatoes) for home use only-----
All other GeW Qope--------------------
24, 419
Total agricultural products......
----
Forest products for home uBe and for sale...
37, 6666
Total .................................
844,989
Fertilizer is in general use b all the farmers, and most of it is
bought ready mixed. In 1929 fertilizers were used on farms report-
ing an expenditure of $131,130, or an average of $194.47 a farm. The
principal grade used for tobacco is a 3-8-52 mixture, for corn d R 4,
cotton 344, watermelons and cantaloups 3-8-6, cabbage 6-6-6 with
a side dressing of nitrate of soda, potatoes 5-7-5 or 6-6-5 sweetpota-
toes 3-8-8, and snap beans 5-7-5. Land plaster is used & peanuts.
■ Percentages, respectively, of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash.

SOIL SURVEY OF CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
Burnt or ground oystershells are used by some farmers for corn, hay,
and cotton.
During 1929 feed was purchased on 812 farms at a total cost of
$80,578, or an average of $98 a farm.
Farm laborers, both white and Negro, were hired on 417 farms and
a total sum of $74,036 was paid in wages in 1929, or $177.54 a farm.
Wages range from 75 cents to $125 a day. In most cases vegetable
gatherers are paid by the piece or package, earning about $2.25 a day.
Owners operated 77.5 percent of the farms in 1935, tenants 21.8
percent and managers 0.7 percent. A few of the farms are rented
for cas�l, the rental ranging from $3 to $8 an acre. When land is
rented on a share basis, the landowner furnishes the land and one-
third of the fertilizer and receives one-third of the crop, and when the
landlord furnishes the land, work animals, feed, implements, and one-
half of the fertilizer and seed, he receives one-half of the crop.
Most of the farmhouses are substantial and kept in fairly good
repaima
r, but most of the tenant houses are sll. The better farmers
have barns sufficiently large to shelter the livestock and store some
hay and grain. They also have outbuildings for storage of machinery.
There are a few tractors in the county.
SOIL -SURVEY METHODS AND DEFINITIONS
Soil surveying consists of the examination, classification, and map-
ping of soils In the field.
The soils are examined systematically in many locations. Testpits
are dug, borings are made, and exposures, such as those in road or
railroad cuts, are studied. Each excavation exposes a series of dis-
tinct soil layers or horizons, called, collectively, the soil profile. Each
horizon, as weR as the parent material, is studied in detail; and the
color, structure, porosity consistence, texture. and content of organic
matter, roots, gravel, ;M stone are noted. The reaction of the soil,°
and its content of lune and salts are determined by simple tests in
the field. Drainage, both internal and external, and other external
features, such as the relief, or lay of the land, are taken into consider-
ation, and the interrelation of the soils and vegetation are studied.
The soils are classified according to their characteristics, both in-
ternal and external, special emphasis being given to those features
influencing the adaptation of the land for the growing of crops,
grasses, and trees. On the basis of these characteristics, the soils are
grouped into classification units. The three principal ones are (1)
series (2) type, and (3) phase. Areas of land, such as swamp or
coastal beach which have no true soil, are called (4) miscellaneous
land types.
The most important of these groups is the series, which includes
soils having the same genetic horizons similar in their important char-
acteristics and arrangement in the soil profile, and developed from a
particular type of parent material. Thus the series includes soils
having essentiallythe same color, structure, and other important
internal characteristics, and the same natural drainage conditions
• The reaction of the soil Is Its degree of acidity or alkalinit expressed mathematically
as the pH value. A pH value of 7 Indicates precise neutrality, higher values Indicate
alkalialty, and lower values, acidity.

BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY AND SOILS, 1985
and range in relief. The texture of the upper part of the soil, includ-
ing that commonly plowed, may vary witliui a series. The soil series
are given names of places or geographic features near which they
were first found. Thus, Norfolk. Craven, Bladen, and Portsmouth
are names of important soil series in this county.
Within a soil series are one or more soil tvpes, defined according
to the texture of the upper part of the soil. Thus, the class name of
the soil texture, such as sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, loam, silt loam,
clay loam silty clay loam, and clay, is added to the series name to give
the compete name of the soil type. For example? Portsmouth fine
sandy loam and Portsmouth loam are soil types within the Portsmouth
series. Except for the texture of the surface soil, these soil types
have approximately the same internal and external characteristics.
The soil type is the principal unit of mapping and because of its
specific character is usually the soil unit to which agronomic data are
definitely related.
A phase of a soil type is recognized for the separation of soils
within a type which differ in some minor soil characteristic which
may, nevertheless, have an important practical significance. Differ-
ences in relief, stoniness, and the degree of accelerated erosion are
frequently shown as phases. For example, within the normal range
of relief for a soil type, there may be parts which are adapted to the
use of machinery and the growth of cultivated crops and other parts
which are not. Even though there may be no important differences
in the soil itself or in its capability for the growth of native vegeta-
tion throughout the range in relief, there may be important differences
in respect to tha growth of cultivated plants. In such an instance the
more sloping areas of a soil type may be segregated on the map as a
sloping or hilly phase. Similarly, soils having differences in stoniness
may be mapped as phases, even though these differences are not re-
flected in the character of the soil or in the growth of native plants.
The soil surveyor makes a map of the county or area, showing the
location of each of the soil types, phases, and miscellaneous land types,
in relation to roads, houses, streams, lakes, section and township lines,
and other local cultural and natural features of the landscape.
SOILS AND CROPS
Some of the land that was farmed 40 or 50 years ago, evidence of
which can be seen in traces of old corn and cotton rows, is now
reforested. This is particularly noticeable in the Merrimon section.
There is a vast area of open muck land on which no trees have
grown since white men settled the country. There are large areas
of tidal marsh, particularly in the northeastern part of the county,
and many smaller areas are along North, Newport, South, and Neuse
Rivers. Parts of two large pocosins extend into the northwestern
and northeastern parts. Large areas of fine sand lie along _and
north of the State highway extending from Whiteoak River to More-
head Citv and in the vicinity of Atlantic. None of the above-men-
tioned areas is cleared or farmed. Practically all of the original
timber growth was cut a long time ago, and a large part of the sec-
ond growth is now being cut.
Most of the land is forested land, cut -over land, open grounds
tidal marsh, or coastal beach. Only a small proportion of the lana

SOIL SURVEY OF CAItTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
is cultivated, principally in the vicinity of Newport, south of the
State highway. along Bogue Sound, in the vicinities of Morehead
City and Merrimon, along the State highway between Beaufort and
Harlowe Church, and in a harrow strip bordering United States
Highway No. 70 from Beaufort to Atlantic in the vicinities of Mar-
shallburg, Straits, and Stella, and along Adams Creek.
The great drawback to farming is that nearly all of the productive
soils lie only a few feet above sea level and have a high water table.
Because of these features, crops are drowned in some seasons. Large
areas of soils potentially good for cultivated crops and pastures could
be reclaimed and made good agricultural lands if they were drained.
Farms are located wherever possible near some natural drainageway.
Drainage of these lands can be effected by canals and open ditches
only by community organization, since the individual cannot drain
his land until some main drainageway has been established.
In many places a close relationship exists between agriculture and
soils. The large number of soils in Carteret County, based on the
characteristics of the soils and their agricultural use, may be placed
in five groups as follows: (1) Light-colored well -drained soils, '(2)
light-colored imperfectly drained soils, (3) black poorly drained
soils, (4) organic soils, and (5) miscellaneous soils and land types.
In the following pages of this report the soils are described in
detail, and their agricultural relationships are discussed; their dis-
tribution is shown on the accompanying soil map; and table 4 gives
their acreage and proportionate extent.
TAwx 4.—Acreage and proportionate extent of the soils mapped in Carteret
County, N. C.
Type of soft
Agee
cent
�nC
Type of son
Agee
per-
Norfolk fine sandy loam ----------
1,92D
0.6
Bayboro loam --------------------
3.136
0.9
Norfolk fine sandy loam, deep
Hyda loam ----------------------•
1.729
.6
phase._---•--.•----------------
1,344
.4
Pamllcomuck ---_-------._--___-
83,008
24.4
7,040
2.1
Pamlioomuck ,shallow phase. ----
27,988
S2
Craven fine sandy loam ----------
7,938
2 3
Peat------------------------------
1,024
.3
Cravenflneandyloam, flat pbaea
768
.2
Blantonfiaesand-----------------
6.720
2.0
Dunbar fine away loam -----
Onslow fine sandy loam .......
1,152
8 192
.3
2 9
Portsmouth fine send -------------
Leon floe and____________________
8, 640
10. 560
2.5
3 1
Onslow loamy fine mud ----------
896
.3
fit. Johns fine and ---------------
12,480
3.7
Bladen fine sandy loam.--.-.-.---
9,728
29
fit. Lucie fine mud ---------------
i, 792
.5
Bladen fine sandy loam, low phase
2,176
.6
swamp -------------------
11,200
3.3
Plummer fine sandy loam --------
5,440
1.6
Tidal mamb----------------------
b6, 898
187
Portsmouth fine sandy loam------
28,6
8 !
Costal beach-•------------------
13.952
4.1
Portsmouth fine sandy loam,
Coastal beach, scrub phase------
2.944
.9
swamp phase-------------------
3,648
1.1
340 480
___--___
Portsmouth loam-----------------
19, 584
11.7
Total------------------------
LIGHT-COLORED WELIDRAINED SOILS
This group includes Norfolk fine sandy loam, Norfolk fine sandy
loam, deep phase, Norfolk fine sand, Craven fine sandy loam, Craven
fine sandy loam, flat phase, and Dunbar fine sandy loam. These soils
cover nearly 6 percent of the total area of the county. They are the
leading soils in the production of tobacco, sweetpotatoes, water-
melons, and cotton. They occur near the larger streams in the
southern and western parts and in the Merrimon section of the
county. They border marshes and swamps along Newport, Neuse
and Whiteoak Rivers, and Adams Creek and their tributaries, aJ
2687—SS-2

10 BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY AND SOILS, 1935
occur along Bogue Sound. These soils occupy nearly level, gently!
rolling, and undulating areas, and their relief and the texture and
structure of both the surface soil and subsoil afford good natural
drainage. These soils lie well for agricultural purposes and for the
use of all kinds of farm machinery.
Soils of this group have gray, grayish -brown, or light -brown sur-
face soils which are uniformly of fine sand, loamy fine sand, and
fine sandy loam texture. The surface soil of Dunbar fine sandy loam
is somewhat darker than the corresponding layer of any other soil
in the group. The subsoils range from yellow or reddish-yellow to
reddish -brown friable fine sands or fine sandy clays. Nearly all of
the subsoils are underlain by mottled yellow, light -red, and gray
fine sandy clay parent material. These soils are deficient in organic
matter, but they are mellow and friable and, therefore, are very
easy to till. The subsoils are sufficiently friable to maintain good
moisture conditions for growing plants.
Because of the texture of the surface soil, the friability of the
subsoil, and good natural drainage, these soils warm early in the
spring and are the first on which farming begins. Although they
are naturally low in plant nutrients, their physical properties are
so favorable that they respond readily to fertilization, and they pro-
duce as profitable crops as any soil in the county. All these soils
are slightly acid, but this condition is corrected by the application of
small quantities of lime, especially on land used for peanuts and
other legumes.
A large part of this land is cleared and cultivated. These are
considered the best soils in the county for the production of cotton,
peanuts, watermelons, cantaloups, and some truck crops. All the
tobacco grown in the county is produced on them.
All the original longleaf pine, loblolly pine, some second -growth
pine, and other trees have been cut. The forest growth at present
consists of old -field pine, loblolly pine, second -growth scrub pine, a
few young longleaf pines, oaks hickories, sweetgums, and dogwoods.
Norfolk fine sandy loam. worfolk fine sandy loam is considered
the best soil in this group for the growing of bright -leaf tobacco,
sweetpotatoes, cotton, English peas, cabbage, string beans, and beets.
Because of its physical properties and good natural drainage, this
soil probably is the most dependable one in the county. It responds
readily to the application of commercial fertilizer and holds fertilizer
and manure well. It is also retentive of moisture for the growing of
crops. It can be built up to a fair state of productivity.
In cultivated fields the 6- or 8 -inch surface layer is gray or, grayish -
brown fine sandy loam. It is underlain by a subsurface layer of
pale .,yellow fine sandy loam. The subsoil, which begins at a depth
ranging from 10 to 15 inches, is yellow friable fine sandy clay and
grades into mottled yellow, light -red, and gray fine sandy clay at a
depth ranging from 24 to 30 inches. In this county the underlying
parent material is nearer the surface than in the higher lying Coastal
Plain counties, owing probably to the low elevation. In the less
well drained areas or in places where this soil joins the Portsmouth
or other poorly drained soils, gray mottlings appear in the subsoil
at a depth ranging from 15 to 20 inches below the surface. In some
of the more rolling areas, the subsoil is reddish-yellow or light -red

SOIL SURVEY OF CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 11
friable fine sandy clav and the depth to the mottled parent material
is greater. These rolling areas would have been mapped as Ruston
fine sandy loam had they occupied a larger acreage. In bodies
ad'oiningg the black Portsmouth soils, the surface soil 1s darker.
gorfolk fine sandy loam occurs in- a few small scattered areas
bordering drainageways, swamps, or marshes near Newport River
in the vicinities of Newport and Wildwood. Other bodies are near
Otway, Gloucester and darshallburg, and northeast of Beaufort.
Although Norfolk fine sandy loam is not extensive it is an im-
portant agricultural soil. Probably 90 percent of the land is under
cultivation. About 30 percent of the cultivated land is devoted to
the production of bright -leaf tobacco; 30 percent to corn; 20 percent
to sweetpotatoes, cabbage, and other vegetables; and 20 percent to
cotton. This is one of the important soils for tobacco in the State.
Yields in this county range from 700 to 1,000 pounds an acre when
1,000 pounds of a 3-8-5 fertilizer are applied. Corn yields from 20
to 25 bushels with the use of 300 pounds of a 4-8-4 fertilizer.' The
average yield of sweetpotatoes is 185 bushels an acre, but as many
as 275 bushels have been reported. Cabbage is fertilized with 1,500
pounds of a 646-6 grade of fertilizer and side -dressed with 200
pounds of nitrate of soda. Yields range from 4 to 5 tons an acre.
Cotton receives 400 pounds of a 8-x-,8 fertilizer and produces about
one-half bale an acre. A small acreage is used for the production
of snap, or string, beans, English peas, peanuts, and hay. Peanuts
are usually hogged off. Some rye is grown for winter pasture and
soil improvement.
Norfolk fine sandy loam, deep phase. The deep phase of Norfolk
fine sandy loam differs from the t9pical soil in that the depth to the
yellow friable fine sandy clay subsoil is greater. The surface and
subsurface layers in most places are lighter in color and prevailingly
more sandy in the deeper soil. The subsurface layer continues down-
ward to a depth ranging from 22 to 30 inches. The subsoil is
thinner than it is under the typical soil, but it is underlain by the
same kind of mottled fine sandy clay material.
There are only a few areas of this soil in the county, the largest
of which are northwest and south of Peletier and northwest of
Newport.
This soil occupies gently rolling to rolling areas near the breaks
of stream courses, and the land is well drained; when cultivated
it is subject to some erosion. The greater part of it is in forest
consisting mainly of longleaf and loblolly pines, oak, dogwood,
holly, and hickory. Probably not more than 25 percent of the
land has been cleared. The principal crops grown are tobacco,
peanuts, watermelons, and corn. The yield of tobacco ranges from
500 to 700 pounds an acre with an application of 1,000 pounds of
a 3-8-5 fertilizer. Corn yields from 10 to 20 bushels an acre.
Peanuts are usually hogged off. Some rye and cowpeas are sown
for hay and for so11 improvement.
This soil is not so well suited to general farming as is typical
Norfolk fine sand loam but with proper croprotation and fer-
tilization,, fair yields oto bright -leaf tobacco, orn, peanuts, and
truck crops could be obtained.

12 BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY AND SOILS, 1955
Norfolk fine sand.— Norfolk fine sand is the most extensive Nor-
folk soil mapped in the county. In cultivated fields the surface soil
of Norfolk fine sand is gray or gra ish-brown mellow fine sand
to a depth ranging from 8 to 12 Inches. In wooded areas a thin
layer of decayed leaves, twigs and roots and a 2- or 3 -inch layer
of dark -gray fine sand cover le surface. At an average depth of
12 inches, the surface soil is underlain by yellow loose mellow fine
sand which continues to a depth of more than 3 feet. Underlying
this is bright -yellow, light -yellow, orange, or reddish -brown fine
sand.
In places where this soil is associated with Blanton fine sand, the
surface soil and subsoil are lighter in color, and in a few areas the
surface soil is more brown and the subsoil reddish yellow. Along
Bogue Sound where large quantities of sea shells have been de-
poslted, the surface soil is dark gray or brown, due, probably, to
the presence of lime which holds the organic matter. The lime in
the soil has favored the growth ofplants and grasses which are the
source of organic matter In the soil. In slight depressions or level
areas, where drainage is not so well established, the surface soil is
dark gray and the subsoil grayish yellow. A few spots of Ports-
mouth fine sand and Norfolk loamy fine sand are included with
mapped areas of this soil. South and west of Cedar Point and
along Bogue Sound are small areas of Ruston fine sand which have
been included with Norfolk fine sand. These areas have brown,
light reddish -brown, or yellowish -brown surface soils and reddish-
7ellow or yellowish -red fine sand subsoils. Below a depth of 40
Inches this fine sand in most places is yellow or brownish yellow
resembling the material under Norfolk fine sand. Practically alf
this included soil is cleared, and it is used for the production of
watermelons, cantaloups, corn, and peanuts. All these crops are
fertilized, and the yields are slightly higher than those obtained
under similar treatment on Norfolk fine sand.
The largest areas of Norfolk fine sand lie west and southwest of
Cedar Point and in one almost continuous body bordering Bogue
Sound, between the State highway and the sound. Small areas are
west of Newport and east of Merrimon.
The soil is exceptionally well drained. The land is level, undu-
lating, orgently rolling. Owing to the openness of both surface
soil and subsoil, the soil is somewhat droughty, but the fine texture
and the incorporation of organic matter in the soil provide such
cod moisture -holding capacity that crops seldom suffer from
drought.
Probably 80 percent of this soil is cleared, and the rest is in forest
of longleaf and loblolly ]pines and a few small oak, dogwood, holly
hickory, and old -field pine. Old -field pine seems to make rapid
growth on this soil.
Watermelons, cantaloups, corn, and peanuts are the principal
crops grown. T1ie famous Bogue Sound watermelons, which are
said to have superior flavor to watermelons grown elsewhere in this
section of the State, are grown on this soil. Due to blight, water-
melons are planted on the same piece of land only once in every
4 to 7 years. Some farmers allow the land to lie idle or fallow
during the intervening years, and others plant peanuts, corn, peas,
and some truck crops. The dark -colored areas nearest to the sound,

SOIL SURVEY OF CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 13
which, on account of the deposits of shells, are not suited to water-
melons, produce larger yields of peanuts and corn than any other
areas of Norfolk fine sand.
Watermelons yield from 700 to 1,000 melons an acre, when 1,000
pounds of a 3-8-6 grade of fertilizer are used. Corn yields from
10 to 25 bushels when 300 pounds of a 3484 fertilizer are applied.
Most farmers add from 75 to 100 pounds of nitrate of soda an acre
as a side dressing.
Craven fine sandy loam,In cultivated fields the surface layer of
Craven fine sandy loam is gray or brownish -gray fine sandy loam
to an average depth of 7 inches. The subsurface layer is pale -yellow
loamy fine sand or fine sandy loam. The subsoil, beginning at a
depth ranging from 10 to 17 inches, is brownish -yellow or olive -
drab tough slightly plastic clay or fine sandy clay which grades
into mottled light -gray and brownish -yellow somewhat friable clay
at a depth ranging from 25 to 30 inches. In wooded areas an inch
or two of leafmold is on the surface. The parent material or the
material underlying the subsoil is essentially the same as that under
Norfolk fine sandy loam, that is, the subsoil grades into mottled
yellow, light -red, and gray heavy fine sandy clay or clay. The
heavy subsoil causes this soil to be less well drained than the Norfolk
soil, although it is better drained than Dunbar fine sandy loam.
Craven fine sandy loam does not warm so early in the spring as do
the Norfolk soils. Therefore, it is not so well suited to truck crops,
but the staple crops are not affected by these characteristics, because
of the long growing season.
In places where this soil grades into Onslow fine sandy loam the
surface soil is darker, and a few hard brown concretions are on the
surface and mixed with the soil in cultivated fields. Small spots
of Onslow fine sandy loam, Dunbar fine sandy loam, and Bladen
fine sandy loam are included with Craven fine sandy loam as
mapped. On some of the slopes or breaks there are spots which
have more brown in the surface soil and a somewhat red Heavy
slightly plastic clay subsoil. Such areas would have been mapped
as Cuthbert fine sandy loam had they been larger. One such spot
is near Stella.
Craven fine sandy loam occurs in several small bodies widely dis-
tributed throughout the county, except the northeastern part. The
largest areas are in the vicinity of Stella along Wbiteoak River and
Hunters Creek, in the vicinity of Merrimon along Adams Creek,
along Newport River, and along Harlowe Creek. This soil is
associated with the Norfolk Onslow, Bladen, and Dunbar soils and
in cultivated fields the soil closely resembles Norfolk fine sandy ioam.
This soil ranges in relief from gently rolling or sloping nearest to
the streams or swamps to nearly level in places where it joins the
Onslow, Dunbar, Bladen? or Portsmouth soils. Areas nearest the
slopes, where the relief is more rolling or sloping, are subject to
sheet erosion, and in places the yellowcla is at or near the surface.
Approximately 80 percent of this lanY is cleared. The remain-
ing forest growth consists principally of oak, longleaf and loblolly
Pines, dogwood, hickory, holly, and beech. Gall$erry and myrtle
bushes form the undergrowth. About 45 percent of the farm land
is in corn, soybeans, end peanuts, 30 percent in tobacco, 15 percent in
cotton, 5 percent in sweetpotatoes and cabbage, and 5 percent in

14 BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY AND SOILS, 1995
other truck crops. Corn yields from 20 to 30 bushels an acre when
300 , pounds of a 4-8-4 fertilizer are applied. Tobacco usually
receives 1,000 pounds of a 3484 mixture, and it yields from 600 to
1,000 pounds an acre. Cotton yields about one-half bale when 400
pounds of a 3-8-3 fertilizer is used.
Craven fine sandy loam is probably the best soil in the county for
general farming. Before the infestation of the boll weevil, cotton
yields were as high as 1 bale an acre.
Craven fine sandy loam, flat phase.—Craven fine sandy loam,
flat phase, differs from the typical soil in that it has more nearly
level or flat relief, is less well drained, and none of the land Is
cleared. The topmost surface layer consists of an inch or two of
dark -gray fine sandy loam. It is underlain by a 4- or 6 -inch layer
of gray loamy fine sand or very fine sand. The subsurface layer is
pale -yellow fine sandy loam. The subsoil, which begins at a depth
ranging from 9 to 14 inches, is heavy plastic olive -drab clay, and
below a depth of 25 to 30 inches it is mottled gray and yellow rather
heavy fine sand clay which is not plastic like the upper part of the
subsoil. This flat soil occupies a small acreage in the northern part
of the county in the vicinity of Merrimon. Because of the level
relief and the heavy plastic subsoil, both surface and internal drain-
age are poor. All this land is in forest or is cut -over land. The
principal trees are white post, and water oaks, loblolly pine, maple,
and some sweetgum aQ beech; and gallberry and myrtle bushes
form the undergrowth.
This soil, owing to its high water table and impervious subsoil,
should be left in forest or used for pasture.
Dunbar fine sandy loam. —In cultivated fields the surface layer
of Dunbar fine sandy loam is gray or dark -gray light fine sandy loam
6 or 8 inches thick, and the 4- to 6 -inch subsurface layer is pale -yel-
low friable fine sandy loam. The subsoil, to a depth ranging from
20 to 24 inches, is yellow rather heavy but friable fine sandy clay,
below which the material is mottled yellow, gray, and in some places
bright -red heavy slightly plastic fine sandy clay or clay. In virgin
areas, the surface soil in most places is very dark gray fine sandy
loam to a depth of 4 or 6 inches. In places, closely associated with
the Onslow soils, a few brown concretions are scattered over the
surface and mixed with the surface soil.
Dunbar fine sandy loam comprises only a few small areas. The
largest body lies southeast of Lukens; several smaller bodies are
around Otway, in the vicinity of Woodville Church, and in the vicin-
ity of Whitehouse Forks in the western part of the county.
This soil occurs near small drainageways. The relief ranges from
level to gently sloping. Surface drainage is fairly good, but inter-
nal drainage is rather poor. Owing to the low position of the land
and the compact lower subsoil layer, or the material underlying the
subsoil, open ditches are necessary in most areas to insure adequate
drainage for farmingg
Owing to its small extent this is not an important agricultural
soil, and very little of it has been cleared for farming. The greater
part is in forest consisting mainly of loblolly and longleaf pines, a
few scrub oak, dogwood, sweetgum, and hickory, and there is an
undergrowth of galMerry, myrtle bushes, and wire grass.

SOIL SURVEY OF CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 15
Most of the small cultivated acreage is used for truck and vege-
table crops. Crop yfields and fertilizer treatment are about the same
as on the associated Norfolk and Onslow soils. Dunbar fine sandy
loam is better suited for forestry or pasture than for cultivated crops.
LIGHT-COLORED DWERFECMY DRAINED SOILS
Included in this group are Onslow fine sandy loam, Onslow loamy
fine sand, Bladen fine sandy loam, Bladen fine sandy loam, low phase,
and Plummer fine sandy loam. The surface soils are gray or dark
gray, but the subsoils are markedly different in texture, structure,
and consistence. The subsoils Qf the Onslow soils are characterized
by a so-called hardpan, or iron crust, those of the Bladen soils by a
distinctly heavy plastic clay or fine sandy clay; and those of the
Plummer soil by friable fine sandy loam, fine sandy clay, or loamy
fine sand.
These soils have a level to undulating relief and are naturally
poorly drained or imperfectly drained. Very little of Plummer fine
sandy loam has been used for agriculture whereas a considerable
acreage of the Bladen and Onslow soils is devoted to the production
ofstaple and special crops.
Bladen fine sandy loam is inherently a good soil. When drained
and properly handled, it produces good yields of the staple crops and
is well suited to the production of potatoes and soybeans.
Onslow fine sandy loam.—In cultivated fields, the surface soil of
Onslow fine sandy loam is somewhat darker than any of the soils
in the light-colored group and is gray or dark -gray light -textured
fine sandy loam 6 or 8 inches thick. In wooded or unplowed areas,
a 2- to 6 -inch layer of rust -brown or ocherous -yellow concretionary
hardpan underlies the surface soil. This hard layer is locally called
"sand rock." It is composed of fine sand cemented with iron and
organic matter. In wooded areas, the 1- to 2 -inch surface soil is
darky, owing to the presence of organic matter. The subsurface
layer Blow the hardpan layer isle -yellow or garay and yellow fine
sandy loam to a depth ranging from 10 to 20 inches. The subsoil
is brownish -yellow or olive -drab heavy fine sandy clay to a depth
ranging from 28 to 40 inches. The underlying material is mottled
gray, yellow, and light -red fine sandy clay or heavy clay.
In places the surface soil is shallow and the pale -yellow layer be-
tween the hardpan layer and the subsoil is very thin. In plowed
areas most of the hardpan layer has been broken up by the plow and
brought to the surface and mixed with the surface soil. This hard
layer, when exposed breaks up into small brown particles, giving
the plowed fields a 'brown tinge. In some other places where the
land is less well drained, the surface soil is darker and the subsoil
is mottled yellow and gray rather heavy slightly plastic fine sandy
clay.
The largest areas of this soil occur in the vicinity and north of
Peletier. Other areas are near Newport Wildwood, Morehead City,
Beaufort, Woodville Church, Otway, Slmyrna, Straits, Gloucester,
and Marshallburg.
The relief ranges from level, or nearly level, to undulating, or
very gently rolling. Owing to the level or nearly level relief, to-

16 BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY AND SOILS, 1935
gether with the impervious hardpan and heavy subsoil, this soil in
places is inadequately drained. In woodedvirgin areas the hard-
pan does not allow free downward movement of water, and, during
seasons of heavy rainfall, the water stands on the surface for a
considerable time and on cultivated fields results in damage to crops.
Probably 85 to 90 percent of this soil is cleared, of which about
90 percent is cultivated and 10 percent is in pasture. This soil is
used mostly for general farming in the western part of the county,
whereas near Morehead City, Beaufort, Otway, and Marshallburg,
it is used mainly for truck crops. Probably 40 percent of the
farmed area in the western part of the county is used for corn, 25
percent for tobacco, 25 percent for botton, and 10 percent for truck
crops, such as potatoes, sweetpotatoes, cabbage, English peas, and
snap beans.
The fertilizer treatment for this soil is as follows: 300 pounds an
acre of 4-8-4 fertilizer for corn, 1,000 pounds of 3-8-5 for tobacco,
400 pounds of 344 for cotton, and 1,000 pounds of 3-8-8 for sweet -
potatoes. When so fertilized corn yields about 25 bushels an acre,
tobacco 700 to 900 pounds, cotton one-half bale, and sweetpotatoes
about 200 bushels. Cabbage ,yields between 4 and 5 tons an acre if
fertilized with 1,500 pounds of a 6-" mixture. Following cabbage,
the land is generally planted to late sweetpotatoes or corn without
any additional fertilizer. Potatoes are also planted on this soil and
followed by svveetpotatoes or corn.
Onslow loamy fine sand. The surface soil of Onslow loamy fine
sand is gray loamy fine sand, 6 or 8 inches deep, underlain by a I-
to 3 -inch hard brown layer which, unlike that underlying Onslow
fine sandy loam, varies considerably in thickness and hardness.
This so-called hardpan layer is underlain by pale -,yellow loamy fine
sand to a depth ranging from 12 to 15 inches. This grades into
brownish -yellow loamy fine sand or fine sandy loam, and, at a depth
ranging from 30 to 35 inches, little clay material is present. In
slight depressions the surface soil is dark gray and the underlying
material is gray or yellow mottled with gray loamy fine sand.
The largest areas of this soil are in the vicinity and north of
Peletier. Other areas are along the State highway bordering Bogus
Sound southwest of Wildwood.
The relief is undulating to gentiv rolling, and drainage is fair to
good. Only a small part of this soil is cleared and under cultivation.
The principal forest growth is pine, post oak, and some white oak,
doLrwood, and holly.
Watermelons are the principal crop and give satisfactory yields on
land where moisture conditions are favorable and heavy applications
of fertilizer are made. All other crop yields are low. This soil is
probably best suited to forestry.
Bladen fine sandy loam.—In cultivated fields the 6- to 9 -inch
surface soil of Bladen fine sandy loam when dry is gray orgrayish-
brown fine sandy loam and in less well drained areas is nearly black.
The subsurface layer is light -gray fine sandy loam faintly mottled
with rust brown to a depth ranging from 10 to 15 inches. This is
underlain by a steel -gray or bluish -gray heavy plastic fine sandy
clay or plastic clay mottled with yellow and ocherous brown to a
depth of 40 or more inches. When dry the subsoil becomes hard

SOIL SURVEY OF CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 17
and cracks, but when wet it is plastic and sticky. In places the
subsoil contains vertical streaks of dark-gray or nearly black silty
material which wasprobably brought down from the surface soil
through holes made by crawfish or water-loving insects at a time
when this soil was wetter than it is at present or before it was
drained for farming purposes.
In wooded areas the 4- to G-inch surface soil is dark gray to nearly
black, whereas the subsurface layer is light gray. The subsoil
grades from a heavy clay with thin lenses of gray fine sand to a
plastic clay.
Included with this soil are some areas in the vicinity of Merrimon
which differ from the typical soil. In these areas the 3- to 6-inch
surface soil is gray or dark gray and is underlain by a grayish-
brown or brownish-gray fine sandy loam to a depth ranging from
10 to 15 inches. This grades into gray and yellowish-brown mottled
sticky fine sandy clay. The subsoil layer is composed of thin lenses
of gray fine sand and yellowish-brown plastic clay.
Bladen fine sandy loam occurs in fairly large areas in the northern,
central, and western parts of the county. The largest bodies are
near Merrimon, Sealevel, Davis, Harlowe Church, andMorehead City,
west of Newport, northeast of Stella, along Harlowe and Core Creeks,
and the western shore of North River.
Probably not over 20 percent of this soil has been cleared, owing
to its low position and poor drainage. The forest growth consists
chiefly of loblolly pine, black gum sweetgum holly, and a few water
oaks and post oaks and myrtle, gahberry, Q some baybushes.
About 55 percent of the cleared land is planted to corn, 25 percent
to cotton, and 20 percent to vegetable crops including sweetpotatoes
and potatoes. Corn yields from 20 to 40 bushels an acre, when an
application of 300 pounds of a 4-8-4 fertilizer is applied, cotton
one-half to three-fourths of a bale with an application of 400 pounds
of a 3-83 fertilizer, potatoes from 40 to 70 barrels with an applica-
tion of 2,000 pounds of a 5-7-5 fertilizer, sweetpotatoes 130 to-160
bushels with an application of 1,000 pounds of a 34-8 fertilizer,
and cabbage about 5 tons an acre with an application of 1,500
pounds of a 64-6 fertilizer. When corn is planted following pota-
toes or cabbage no additional fertilizer is used. Bladen fine sandy
loam is potentially ad agricultural soil and, with artificial drain-
age more of it could be used advantageously.
The poorer drained areas of this soil should be used for pasture.
Bladen fine sandy loam, low phw*,This soil differs from the
typical soil mainly in that it occupies a lowposition near the tidal
marsh. The 10- to 15-inch surface soil of Bladen fine sandy loam,
low phase, is dark-gray or nearly black heavy fine sandy loam to
loam. The subsoil u3 heavy plastic clay or fine sandy clay and con-
tains more brownish-yellow or yellow mottling than that underlying
the typical soil.
This soil occupies a small total acreage. Bodies are north of
Beaufort, southwest of Otway, north of Morehead City, and north
of Merrimon and along Core Creek and the western shore of North
River.
This soil grades into tidal marsh on one side and into Bladen fine
sandy loam or the Portsmouth soils on the other. It occupies low
20ft ab-o

18 BUREAU OF CHEAlISTRY AND SOILS, 1935
level permanently wet areas, and water stands on the surface part of
the year. None of it is cultivated.
The forest growth consists mainly of scrub pine with an under-
gro%vth of gallberry, myrtle, coarse grasses, and some rushes. This
soil cannot be used for farming purposes as it lies from only a few
inches to 1 or 2 feet above sea level. It cannot be drained without
diking and pumping. This soil can be used for pasture and forestry.
Plummer fine sandy loam.—Plummer fine sandy loam has a sur-
face layer of gray or light -gray light -textured fine sandy loam,
from 6 to 15 inches deep. The subsoil is light -gray mottled with
yellow friable or crumbly fine sandy clay or loamy fine sand to a
depth of 38 or more inches. In wooded areas the 2- to flinch sur-
face soil is dark gray, and in places the subsoil is gray fine sandy
loam or loamy fine sand, whereas in other places, especially in the
vicinity of Peletier, the subsoil is yellow (predominantly) and gray
mottled fine sandy clay or loamy fine sand. The lower part of the
subsoil is saturated with water, and in most places the underlying
material is gray water -soaked fine sand.
Plummer fine sandy loam occurs mainly in the northwestern and
northeastern parts of the county. The largest areas lie northeast of
Merrimon between Stella and the Lakes Pocosin. Smaller areas occur
west of Newport, northeast of Wildwood, north of Morehead Cityy,
northeast of Beaufort, south and west of Otway, and north of South-
west Creek, a tributary of South River. These areas occur mainly
on stream flats, in depressions, and on gentle slopes near swamps.
The relief is nearly flat to gently undulating, and drainage is
poorly established. Most of this soil is waterlogged throughout
the winter and in some places the greater part of the year.
Only a few small areas of Plummer fine sandy loam are cultivated.
Garden vegetables and corn are theprincipal crops. The forested
areas support scattered growths of pine, sweetgum, black gum, scrub
oak, and water oak, and an undergrowth of gallberry, briers, reeds,
and coarse grasses.
Plummer fine sandy loam is difficult to drain because ditch banks
cave in badly. Even where this soil is drained and farmed, crop
yields are very low. Its best use is for forestry and pasture.
BLACK POORLY DRAINED SOILS
This group comprises the black poorly drained soils of the county
which have been mapped as Portsmouth fine sandy loam, Portsmouth
fine sandy loam, swamp phase, Portsmouth loam, Bayboro loam,
and Hyde loam, and occupy 88.6 square miles. The black color of
these soils is caused by a large content of organic matter that has
accumulated through the decay of vegetation over a long period
when the land was In a swampy condition. These soils occupy level
areas or very slight depressions in which natural drainage has not
been established. Then are naturally strongly acid and require
heavy applications of lime. These soils also require artificial drain-
age to reclaim them for agricultural use. Such drainage can be
effected in larger areas by district or community cooperation.
These soils are inherently rich in organic matter and are con-
sidered good soils, perhaps the best in the county, for the production
of corn, soybeans, cabbage, and potatoes.

SOIL SURVEY OF CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA i9
Portsmouth fine sandy loam. —The 8- to 12 -inch surface soil of
Portsmouth fine sandy loam is dark -gra or black fine sandy loam,
underlain by a subsurface layer of gray heavy fine sandy loam from
5 to 7 inches thick. The subsoil is light -gray friable fine sandy clay
faintly mottled with yellow or brown to a depth of about 40 inches.
In virgin areas the surface soil is black. In places the subsoil is
rather heavy sticky fine sandy clay, whereas in other places it is
gray fine sandy loam or loamy fine sand. Below 40 inches the under-
lying material is more friable and, at a depthranging from 48 to
60 inches, it grades into light -gray fine sand mixed with little clay
material and is saturated with water. In uncleared areas where
no ditches have been constructed the water rises to about 3 feet
from the surface. As mapped this soil includes spots of Portsmouth
loam, Bladen loam, and Bladen fine sandy loam which are too small
to separate on a small-scale map.
Portsmouth fine sandy loam occurs in all parts of the county, ex-
cept on Harkers and Cedar Islands and the banks along the ocean.
The largest areas lie between Whiteoak River and the Lakes Pocosin,
east of Newport, west of Wildwood, northwest of Harlowe Church,
east of Lukens, and along the upper part of South River. Large
areas also occur along the Craven County line north of Beaufort,
near Woodville Church, Otway, Straits, Marshallburg, Stacy, and
Sealevel. Smaller areas occur elsewhere in the county.
Owing to the flatness of this land, it has very poor natural drainage,
and streams have not cut far into it. It is necessary to drain this
land before any of it can be used for farming purposes.
Not over 10 percent of Portsmouth fine sandy loam has been
cleared and reclaimed for farming. It supported a good growth of
longleaf and loblolly pines, but the greater part has been cut over.
In some sections considerable merchantable timber remains. The
tree growth consists of longleaf and loblolly pines, a few black gain,
and sweetgum. There is an undergrowth of gallberry, myrtle 'ray!
bushes, several kinds of grasses, ram's -horn, pitcherplant, and Venus
flytrap. Most all the cultivated areas are used for truck crops The
principal crops are potatoes and cabbage, with corn planted between
the rows after cultivation. Some cotton, soybeans, oats, turnips,
broccoli, Englishpeas, and tomatoes are grown.
Potatoes yield from 50 to 90 barrels an acre and cabbage about 5
tons. Following potatoes or cabbage, corn yields 20 to 30 bushels
an acre, and when itis the onlyy crop grown in a year, X30 to 45
bushels. Potatoes receive an application of 2,000 pounds of a 5-7-5
or 6-6-5 fertilizer an acre, and cabbage 1,500 pounds of a 6-6-6
fertilizer and 200 pounds of nitrate of soda as a side dressing. Corn
does not receive any additional fertilizer if planted after potatoes
or cabbage. This soil is considered one of the best for the produc-
tion of potatoes, cabbage oats, and soybeans, and more of it could
be cleared and drained for farm use. The main difficulty is the
expense of draining, as interior areas are so far from drainageways.
Portsmouth fine sandy loam, swamp phase.—Portsmouth fine
sandy loam, swamp phase, is not so well drained and has a higher
content of decayed organic matter than the typical soil. The 4nr-
face soil is also thicker and more loamy, silty and in places mucky.
The subsoil is more gray or brownish gray anc contains fewer yellow
mottlings.

20 BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY AND SOILS, 1935
This soil is not so extensive as the typical soil. Fairly large areas
are mapped 6 miles east of Lukens, southwest of Merrimon, north
of Davis, southeast of Harlowe Church, northwest of Newport, and
east of Stella. This land is naturally poorly drained and remains
in a swampy or semiswampy condition the greater part of the winter
and spring. It occupies a very Iow position and cannot be used
for farm crops except by diking and pumping. It supports a forest
growth consisting principally of tupelo gum, swamp maple, a few
cypress and bay, and a thick growth of briers and other vegetation.
The best use of Portsmouth fine sandy loam, swamp phase, is for
forestry.
Portsmouth loam.—The surface soil of Portsmouth loam is deeper
and contains a larger quantity of organic matter than Portsmouth
fine sandy loam. The surface soil is black mellow loam from 10 to 18
inches deep, underlain by a subsoil of gray or mottled yellow and
gray friable fine sandy clay to a depth of 40 or more inches. Below
45 inches the underlying parent material is gray wet fine sand.
For the most part this soil has no subsurface layer, and the black
surface soil grades directly into the subsoil. The surface soil is so
highly charged with orgamc matter that it has a silty or almost
mucky feel. The subsoil in places is heavy sticky fine sandy clay.
It is difficult to establish boundaries between Portsmouth loam and
Portsmouth fine sandy loam, and as mapped each includes areas of
the other soil. The high organic -matter content is derived from the
accumulation of partly decayed vegetable matter. Decay has been
retarded by the wet conditions under which the soil has developed.
Portsmouth loam is widely distributed. The largest areas are
mapped north of Newport, west and northeast of Harlowe Church
north of Beaufort, south and east of Merrimon, between Otway ana
Smyrna, near Davis and north of Stacy. Smaller areas are In the
southwestern part of the county and elsewhere.
At present the greater part of Portsmouth loam is cut -over land
or forested with crooked knotty pine, tupelo gum, black gum, swamp
maple, baybushes, and a thick undergrowth of myrtle, bamboo, and
briers. In some places there is a heavy growth of broomsedge and
reeds, which give these areas greater value as pasture for cattle.
Only a very small proportion is used for crops. Corn, potatoes,
and cabbage are grown and, if the land could be economically
drained, these crops witroper fertilization would give excellent
yields. This soil occupies at or slightly depressed positions and is
extremely poorly drained. Owing to its low nearly level relief and
high water table the expense of draining & greater part of this
soil is too great f=or the average farmer.
Bayboro loam. The 10- to 18 -inch surface layer of Bayboro loam
is dark grayish -brown or brownish -black mellow fine sandy loam,
loam, or silt loam, highly charged with organic matter which gives
the soil a silty feel. It is underlain by a subsurface layer, 5 or 6
inches thick, of steel -gray heavy clay loam faintly mottled with
yellow. The subsoil, between depths of 18 and 40 inches, is gray
Heavyplastic clay mottled with ocherous yellow. The underlying
material is yellow and light -gray soft plastic clay.
The principal areas of Bayboro loam occur northeast and south-
east of Harlowe Church, just north of Merrimon, north and north.

$OIL SURVEY OF CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 21
east of Beaufort, and southwest of Otway, and a few small areas
are in the vicinity of Peletier.
The relief of Bayboro loam is nearly level, and drainage is poor.
This soil lies only about 5 feet above sea level and must be ditched
before it can be farmed.
About 50 percent of this soil is cleared and under cultivation.
The rest is forested with loblolly pine, black gum or tupelo gum,
sweetgum, and maple with an undergrowth of In and bay -
bushes. Broomsedge flourishes in cut -over areas. About 60 percent
of the cultivated land is used for theproduction of potatoes and
40 percent for cabbage, turnip tops, and broccoli. Corn is usually
planted between rows of potatoes and cabbage. Broccoli is gathered
early in the spring, and a second crop of cabbage, tomatoes, or corn
is planted.
Corn following potatoes is not fertilized. Otherwise corn ordi-
narily receives from 200 to 300 pounds an acre of a 4-8-4 fertilizer,
potatoes 2,000 pounds of a 5-7-5 fertilizer, sweetpotatoes 1,000
pounds of a 3-8-3 fertilizer, and broccoli and cabbage 1,500 pounds
of a 6-6-6 fertilizer.
When thoroughly drained by open ditches, this is one of the best
eoils in the county for growing vegetables and for general farming.
It returns large yields of potatoes, cabbage, corn and cotton. Yields
of corn and soybeans can be increased by a liberal application of
lime.
Hyde loam. —The surface soil of Hyde loam, to a depth of 18 to 40
inches, is brownish -black mellow and friable loam highly charged
with well -decayed organic matter. The subsoil is gray, bluish -gray,
steel -gray, or brownisli-gray heavy fine sandy clay to slightly plastic
clay and In places is streaked with rust brown. In some places the
surface soil Is somewhat mucky, and in other places it is shallower
than in the typical soil. The more mucky spots occupy slightly
lower positions and are less well drained.
Hyde loam is of small extent and occurs principally along the
Craven County line, west of Newport, northwest and west of Harlowe
Church, and north of Beaufort.
Probably 60 percent of this soil has been cleared, but only a small
acreage is farmed, although the land is cultivated easily. Most of
the large body along the Craven County line is cleared. The land
has been farmed, but it was not in cultivation when, this survey was
made. This area has been ditched and is suitable for the production
of farm crops. The greater part of Hyde loam occupies slightly
depressed or low flat areas and is naturally poorly drained. The
forest growth consists mainly of tupelo gum and maple and some
pond pine.
The small cultivated areas produce excellent ,yields of potatow,
corn, cabbage, turnip tops, soybeans, and oats. The large yields of
corn and soybeans obtained from this soil in other parts of the State
indicate that more of this land could be reclaimed for profitable
farming.
ORGANIC SOILS
The organic soilscomprise Pamlico muck, Pamlico muck, shallow
phase, and peat and constitute a large part of the central and north-
ern parts of the county. At present none of these soils is used for

22 BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY AND SOILS, 1936
farming. They are composed largely of organic matter in various
stages of decomposition and contain only a small quantity of mineral
matter. Peat is more fibrous than Pamlico muck. When dry, both
Pamlico muck and peat will burn readily. All these soils are
very strongly acid.
Pamlico muck. The surface soil of Pamlico muck is black or
brownish -black decayed and partly decayed vegetable matter. There
is little change in color of the soil to a depth ranging from 15 to
25 inches were it grades into slick bluish -black mucky material con-
taining little mineral matter. At a depth ranging from 40 to 54l
inches, It Is underlain by brown or light -gray fine sandy clay, clay,
or loamy fine sand. In places the underlying material consists or
sea shells mixed with fine sand and clay. The surface soil in most
places has been burned to a depth of 6 inches or 1 foot, leaving black
granular charred cubes of organic matter on the surface. In other
places large quantities of coarse vegetable matter, such as roots,
fibers, twigs, and leaves, are mixed with the surface soil. In the
areas designated as Pamlico muck the topmost foot or more was
probably peat before burning occurred, and in places some peaty
muck is Included with Pamlico muck in mapping.
The principal areas of Pamlico muck are in the northern and
northwestern parts of the county. The largest area, locally known
as the Open Grounds, is in the northern part, and the next largest
is the Lakes Pocosin in the northwestern part. Other areas are de-
veloped north of Beaufort, Harlowe Church, and Peletier, and on
Cedar Island near Roe.
Areas of Pamlico muck are nearly level but are slightly higher
near the center, sloping imperceptibly outward, as evidenced by the
slow flow of water to the east and west in the drainage canal in the
Open Grounds. In most places the water table is near the surface.
In the Open Grounds the water table ranges from 3 to 6 feet above
sea level, and in the Lakes Pocosin it probably ranges from 10 to 15
feet above sea level. Numerous streams have their source near the
outer border of these large bodies of Pamlico muck. Water stands
on or near the surface during winter and is only a foot or so below
the surface in summer. The only places where water does not reach
the surface are those areas near the canals and ditches in the Open
Grounds. Observations along the canals and ditches indicate that
the water does not drain down through the underlying slick bluish -
black fine material, but runs along the top of this layer. Most of
these areas are spongy on the surface. Some holes have been burned
2 or 3 feet deep.
The Open Grounds from the time of earliest settlement have never
been forested. The vegetation consists mainly of titi, gallberry, and
baybushes, bamboo, sedge grasses, and reeds, and a few pine. The
Lakes Pocosin supports a tree growth consisting mostly of gnarly
topped Mine, together with a few gums, swamp maple, and cypress.
Pamlico muck is not an agricultural soil In this county under
the present cropping system. It furnishes some pasture for cattle.
This soil is strongly acid, and plants which are tolerant to an ex-
tremely acid soil and require mainly nitrogen for their growth
might do well.
)Pamlico muck, shallow phase.—Pamlico muck, shallow phase,
differs from typical Pamlico muck in that the depth of the surface

SOIL SURVEY OF CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 23
soil is less, ranging from 15 to 20 inches, or 25 inches where it ad-
joins the typical muck. The underlying material is essentially the
same as that underlying the typical soil. Some of the smaller bodies
associated with fine sandy soils are underlain by a loamy fine sand
or fine sand, and in most of these areas a little fine sand is mixed
with the first few inches of surface material.
The largest areas of this soil border the Open Grounds and Lakes
Pocosin, and smaller ones are scattered throughout the westernpart
of the county and in the vicinities of Sealevel, Atlantic, and Beaufort.
The surface soil where it adjoins areas of the typical soil is level
or nearly so, but -the smaller scattered areas occupy slight depressions.
Drainage Is everywhere poor. Only a small area near Beaufort has
been cleared, but no crops aregrown on it. The tree growth is
mainly gnarly to ped pine, together with a few loblolly pine and an
undergrowth of briers and baybushes. This soil is not suited to
farming and only furnishes a small quantity of timber and some
pasture.
Peat.—The material classed as peat consists of brown fibrous re-
mains of partly decayed vegetation to a depth of 3 or more feet.
It is soft and Spongy and very light in weight when dry. It is
underlain by gray fine sand, clsy, or in a few places calcareous
material. Peat occupies low level areas which are either covered
with water or saturated throughout the year.
The lamest bodies of peat border the marsh on Cedar Island and
north of Merrimon. Under present economic conditions peat has
no agricultural value and is not used for farming It supporta a
scant growth of scrub pine and marsh grass. The greater part
of it is in a semimarshy condition and is treeless.
MIBCBLLANBOUS 80I18 AND LAND TYPB8
This group includes Blanton fine sand, Portsmouth fine sand
Leon fine sand, St. Johns fine sand, St. Lucie fine sand, swamp, tiQ
marsh, coastal beach, and coastal beach, scrub phase. These mis-
cellaneous soils and land types are widely distributed. They present
a wide range in character of the soil and drainage conditions from
the excessively drained St. Lucie fine sand to the poorly drained
tidal marsh and swamp.
The fine sands are inherently poor soils, whereas swamp and tidal
marsh are inherently much better soils. A few small areas of Blan-
ton fine sand and St. Johns fine sand are under cultivation, and are
used primarily for the production of garden vegetables and corn. The
beat use for these soils except tidal marsh and coastal beach, is for
forest. Leon fine sand and St. Johns fine sand are well suited to
longleaf and loblolly pines, and swamp supports a good growth of
cypress, tupelo gum, swamp maple, and some ash. Tidal marsh
affords scant pasture for cattle and ponies.
St. Johns line sand and Leon line sand differ from the other
members of this group in that they are characterized by the presence
of a hardpan layer at a depth ranging from 15 to 30 inches.
Blanton fine sand. In cultivated fields the surface soil of Blanton
fine sand is light -gray, gray, or palegehow fine sand to a depth
of 6 inches. a subsoil is grayish -yellow or very light gray loose
fine sand. In wooded areas the topmost 1 or 2 inches is gray fine
sand, owing to the presence of a small quantity of organic matter.

24 BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY AND SOILS, 1935
This layer is underlain in most places by a thin layer stained with
brown and containing a few brown concretions. The subsoil extends
from a depth of 12 or 15 inches to 50 or more inches and contains
splotches of white fine sand.
In places where Blanton fine sand is associated with the Norfolk
soils It has more color in the surface soil and subsoil and in other
places the lower part of the subsoil is yellow and has a loamy texture.
Some small areas west of Cedar Point which have a light -gray sur-
face soil from 8 to 15 inches deep and a yellow loose subsoil were
included in mapping.
Blanton fine sand occurs mainly in the western part of the county
in the vicinities of Peletier, Newport, Ocean, and Bogue, and on
Bogue and Shackleford Banks. The relief ranges from gently roll-
ing to sloping and hummocky. Natural surface and internal drain-
age ranges from good to excessive, owing to the openness of the
fine sand and the prevailing undulating relief.
Only small spots of this soil have been cleared. Most of it is
cut over. The trees are mainly turkey oak, blackjack oak, and
a few longleaf and loblolly pines, and the undergrowth is wire grass.
Watermelons and cantaloups are grown in places where this soil is
associated with Norfolk fine sand. The best use of this land is
for forest.
Portsmouth fine sand.—Portsmouth fine sand has been partly
burned, leaving a shallow black fine sand or mucky fine sand, under-
lain by white or brown fine sand. Nearly all these areas were covered
with water at the time this survey was made. The surface soil ranges
in depth from a few inches to 20 inches and contains large quantities
of decayed vegetable matter which in places constitutes a sufficient
proportion of the soil to make it mlick
yy.
This soil is developed largely in the western and southwestern
parts of the county. The largest areas are southwest of Newport,
west of Morehead City, northeast of Ocean, near Peletier, northeast
of Sealevel, and on Cedar Island. The soil occupies flats and slight
depressions near sources of streams and is associated with Leon,
Blanton, St. Lucie, and St. Johns soils. The relief is nearly level,
and natural drainage has not been established.
None of this soil is cleared. The present vegetation consists of a
few dead gnarly topppped pine which have been killed by fire and a
thick growth of galiberry, briers, and baybushes. This soil is best
suited to forestry, although only a poor quality of trees can be
grown.
Leon fine sand,The surface soil of Leon fine sand is liglit-gray
fine sand to a depth ranging from 12 to 22 inches, underlain by
dark -brown to almost black hardpan, from 4 to 12 inches thick.
The cementing material in this hardpan layer consists mostly of
organic matter. The subsoil below the hardpan is gggray or l�ght-
gray fine sand, in places stained with light brown. In places there
are two or more brown hard layers within a depth of 5 feet with
white or brown fine sand between. In most of the wooded areas
the first 2 or 3 inches of soil contain some organic matter which
imparts a salt -and -pepper color. Areas in which the first 5 or 7
inches of surface soil Is medium dark gray and which are less well
drained than the typical soil are included in mapping. The brown
layer in other included areas is only slightly cemented.

SOIL SURVEY OF CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 25
Leon fine sand occurs mainI in the western part of the county
near Newport and in the northeastern part. Some of the largest
areas are around Atlantic, several small areas are on Cedar Island,
and other large areas are near Ocean, Bogue, and Morehead City.
This soil occupies low nidges or interstream divides and gentle
slopes near drainageways. The relief ranges from level to gently
sloping. Natural surface drainage is fairly good, but internal drain-
age is retarded by the hardpan layer.
Leon fine sand has very little agricultural value, and none of it
has been cleared for farming. Most of it is cut -over land and is
used to some extent for pasture. In the west -central part some areas
have a good growth of young longleafppn ine and some of the original
longleaf pine remains on most areas. I'laces there is a growth of
scrub oak and turkey oak, and an undergrowth of gallberry and
wiregrass. A few smallgardens are maintained on this soil in the
vicinity of Atlantic. This land is best suited to forest.
SL Johns fine sand.—St. Johns fine sand is associated with Leon
fine sand but occupies a lower position in depressions and bays. The
surface soil is black or dark -gray fine sand from 10 to 15 inches deep
and is slightly mucky in places. It is underlain by a 5- to 10 -inch
dark -brown hardpan layer similar to that underlying Leon fine
sand. Below the hardpan is grayish -brown fine sand which, at
a depth of about 30 inches, grades into white fine sand similar to
quicksand.
Along the borders between baTlike areas of St. Johns fine sand and
Leon fine sand, the surface soil is dark -gray or salt -and -pepper gray
fine sand. In some places the brown layer is not hard, and in others
there is more than one hardpan or brown layer. In some of the de-
pressions the surface soil was at one time muck and peat but has
since been burned. Water now stands on the surface during a part of
the year. Areas of Portsmouth fine sand are included with this soil as
mappped.
St. Johns fine sand is widely scattered throughout the county.
Some of the larger areas lie northeast of Atlantic, and on Harkers
and Cedar Islands. Several areas are in the vicinity of Newport and
between Newport River and Bogue Sound, north of Sealevel, Beau-
fort, and Marshallburg, and elsewhere in the count.
This soil is nearly level, and both surface and internal drainage
are poor. A few better drained areas have been cleared and are used
for growing corn and vegetables. This soil has little value except for
forest. Some areas support a scattered growth of longleaf pine. The
lower depressions have a growth of stunted gnarly topped pine and
a thick growth of gallberry, briers, and baybushes.
St. Lucie fine sand. --St. Lucie fine sand is white loose incoherent
fine sand 3 or more feet deep. This soil is almost entirely quartz and
contains no silt or clay. Only in places is there even a small quantity
of organic matter in the first inch or two of surface soil which gives
the material a salt -and -pepper color. In places a slightly hard brown
layer appears at a depth ranging from 34 to 40 inches. In areas on
Harkers and Cedar Islands the soil contains slightly more organic
material and is not such a pure white quartz as elsewhere. In other
places a pale -yellow fine sand substratum is reached below a depth of
80 inches.

26 BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY AND SOILS, 1956
Most areas of this soil are in the vicinities of Beaufort, Harkers
Island, Cedar Point, and Ocean. They ranse from gently rolling
areas to low ridges and knobs. They are slightly higher than the
surrounding areas of Iron fine sand and Blanton fine sand. Drain-
age is excessive. This soil is very droughty, does not hold organic
matter or fertilizer, and is inherently poor. It is therefore unsuited
to farming, and none of it is cultivated. The best use for this land is
forestry. The sand can be utilized in the manufacture of concrete
blocks. The original tree growth was mostly longleaf pine, but only
scrub oak and a few pine remain, together with an undergrowth of
wire grass.
Swamp.—Areae which lie along streams and which are saturated
with water the greater part of the year are mapped as swamp: The
color, texture, and structure of the surface material are not uniform.
Some of the larger swamp areas consist of black mucky material. In
places it is dark -gray loam or fine sandy loam underlain by blue or
brown clay or fine sandy clay, mottled with yellow. The material
mapped as swamp represents a soil condition rather than a definite
soil and cannot be separated into soil types.
Swamp borders practically all the streams of the county, ranging in
width from a few feet to three-fourths of a mile. The largest areas
are along Newport River, along the marsh north of Atlantic, along
Southwest, Hunters, and Brown Creeks, and along Whiteoak River.
The swamp areas are nearly .bat and slope gradually in the direc-
tion of stream flow. The land is subject to overflow and in places is
completely covered with water most of the year since the elevation is
only slightly above sea level. Artificial drainage is impractical.
Probably the best utilization of these swamp areas is for growing
timber. The principal trees are cypress, tupelo gum, swamp maple,
and some ash. Narrow strips of swamp along some of the smaller
streams may be drained sufficiently to support some pasture for cattle
during the summer and fall.
Tidal marsh.—The surface soil of tidal marsh to a depth ranging
from 6 to 10 inches is dark -gray, drab, or black loam, clay, silty
loam, or heavy fine sandy loam containing rust -brown streaks. The
material is oozy and full of grass roots. It is underlain by steel -
gray, bluish -gray, or gray mottled with yellow heavy clay or fine
sandy clay. In places at lower depths the material is a loamy fine
sand, and in other places at a little higher elevation where it is asso-
ciated with the low phase of Bladen fine sandy loam, the lower part of
the subsoil is gray mottled with ocherous -yellow slick plastic clay.
The underlying material ranges from fine sand to heavy plastic clay,
or beds of sea sIiells and clay.
Extensive areas of tidal marsh occur on Cedar Island, and along
Neuse, Southr and North Rivers, Ward and Oyster Creeks, and New-
port and Whiteoak Rivers. Other areas are along the bay side of the
banks and scattered along the sounds.
Areas of tidal marsh are level. Because the greater part of the
land is submerged during high tide and contains an excess of salt,
none of it is used for farming. It supports a growth of coarse grass
which is out for hay and furnishes pasture for a few cattle, hogs, and
ponies.
In its present condition tidal marsh cannot be used for any pur-
pose other than for hay and pasture.

SOIL SURVEY OF CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 27
Coastal beach.—Coastal beach consists of white, gray, or I* lit
fine, medium, or coarse sand to a depth of several feet. The
prevailing texture is that of fine sand. Shells are scattered through-
out the sand.
It occurs along the Atlantic Ocean, along the entire length of the
county between Bogue Sound and the ocean, and in a small strip
along Neuse River near the mouth of South River. The areas range
from a few feet to about a mile wide and from near sea level to about
80 feet above sea level. The relief is irregular and comprises ridges,
knolls, dunes and depressions which are constantly changed by the
tide and wind. The area on Core Banks from Portsmouth Island to
Cape Lookout is a flat bare beach which overflows at extreme high
tides. Coastal beach has no agricultural vlue. A little grass grows
in spots on the sides and between the dunes and is the only vegetation.
Coastal beach, scrub phase,—Coastal beach, scrub phase, has the
same color as typical coastal beach. It comprises more ridges, knolls,
dunes, and depressions, and differs from typical coastal beach mainly
in that it supports a growth of scrub pin oak, myrtle small cedar,
some yaupon, and some grass in poorly drained spots which affords a
little pasture for livestock. The surface soil in the poorly drained
spots is dark gray.
Areas of this type of land occur between typical coastal beach and
Bogue Sound. Some of the cedar is large enough to be out for fence
posts and other purposes.
During the severe storm in September 1938, several inlets were out
through the beach from Portsmouth to Cape Lookout, and this
condition has made fishing much better.
LAND USES AND AGRICULTURAL METHODS
The State Agricultural Experiment Station has over a period of
years conducted field experiments on soils similar to those found
in Carteret County. Fertilizer recommendations based on the results
of those experiments follow:
(1) Norfolk fine sand: Watermelons, from 400 to 600 pounds an acre
of a 3-8-6 mixture; corn, 300 to 400 pounds of 4-8-4, supplemented
by a side dressing of 75 to 100pounds of nitrate of soda or its equiva-
lent of sulphate of ammonia when corn is about 18 inches high. (2)
Norfolk fine sandy loam, Craven fine sandy loam, and Onslow fine
sandy loam: Tobacco, from 800 to 1,000 pounds of a 3-8--6 mixture or,
following a leguminous crop turned under, 800 pounds of 2-10-6;
cotton, 400 to 600 pounds of 4-8-4 plus 100 pounds of nitrate of soda
or its equivalent of sul hate of ammonia the nitrate to be applied after
the cotton has been chopped to a stand; corn, 250 to 300 pounds of
4-8 4 and 100 pounds ofnitrateof soda or its equivalent when corn is
2 feet high. (3) Dark -colored soils such as Portsmouth fine sandy
loam Bladen loam, Bladen fine sandy loam, Hyde loam, and Ports-
mouth loam: Corn, 250 to 300 pounds of a 4-8-4 mixture; cotton, 400
pounds of 4-10-4.
The recommendation for early potatoes on all these soils is from
1,600 to 2,000 pounds of a 5-7-5 fertilizer, and for all vegetables com-
monly grown 1,000 to 2,000 pounds of 5-7--5. If the larger applica-
tion is used, part of it should be applied broadcast. For sweetpotatoes
on the better drained or light-colored soils it is suggested that 1,000 to

28 BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY AND SOILS, 1985
1.200 pounds of 3-84 fertilizer be used, and when grown for late
harvest, 600 to 800 pounds of 3-8-8. For all small grains on both
light- and dark -colored soils an application of 300 pounds of 4-9-4
fertilizer is advisable. The recommendation for peanuts oil the better
drained soils is 200 pounds of 2-8-4 fertilizer and for the poorly
drained soils, 200 pounds of 0-10-6.
The most favorable soil reaction for peanuts is about pH 6.5. If
the reaction is higher than this, 300 pounds of gypsum should be ap-
plied on the foliage at blooming time. Where tobacco is to be grown
on the same soil the reaction should be about pH 5.6. If these two
crops are to be grown in rotation, it is necessary to use gypsum, as this
will supply the peanuts with the heeded calcium without increasing
the alkalinity of the soil.
Information furnished by the county agent indicates that farmers
are now using 1,000 pounds an acre of 3-8-5 or 3-8-6 fertilizer for
tobacco; 2,000 pounds of 5-7-5 for early potatoes; 1,000 pounds of
3-8-8 for sweetpotatoes; 1,000 pounds of 3--84 for watermelons; 300
pounds of 4-8-4 for corn; 400 pounds of 3-8-3 for cotton; and for all
vegetables commonly grown about 1,000 pounds of 5-7-5.
A 2 -year rotation system is usually followed. Potatoes are fol.
lowed by corn or soybeans and the nest year cabbage followed by
sweetpotatoes when planted on light sandy soils. Tobacco is gen-
erally planted every other ,year, and corn, peanuts, or sweetpotatoes
follow tobacco. Vllere tobacco is growls on the same land year after
yw
ear, rye is son after the tobacco and disked into the land the fol-
lowing spring. Watermelons are planted on the same land only
every 4 to 7 years, as a blight attacks the vines. Most farmers use
the 7 -,year interval. Any other crops commonly grown may be
produced on this land.
Practically all soils are badly in need of lime especially the dark
poorly drained soils. By the use of lime, togetber with a complete
fertilizer, Pamlico muck, when properly drained, is capable of pro-
ducing crops. Without lime this soil will not produce crops. The
soils of the county are strongly to very strongly acid. The results of
pH determinations of several soils are given in table 5.
TABLE 5.—pH determinations for several aotls from Carteret Counts/, N. 0.3
Boil type and sample no.
Depth
pH
Soil type and sample no
Depth
pH
Norfolk tine sand:
Inches
Craven flne sandy loam:
Inches
739101 ................. .......
0 - 1
3.9
=13D ........................
0 -134
Cl
239102----• ...................
1 -3
4.0
239131...--...----------- ....
154-10
4.6
239103________________________
3 -12
4.7
239132........................
10 -28
4 7
239104 ...................--.--
12 -40
4.8
239133 ........................
28 -42
46
Onslow fine sandy loam:
Bladen fine sandy loam:
239109-•----------------------
0- 6
4 6
239137.-------------_-------
0- 5
8.6
239110 ------------------------
6 - 734
6 4
239138--..•------.-__--_-...__
5 -17
4.2
239111------------------------
7'4.12
50
239139-----.------------------
17 -48
4.3
239112------------------------
12 -20
4 8
Portsmouth loam:
239113-..--.---•-----•-•------
20 -48
4.4
239140 ........................
0 -12
39
St. Johns fine sand:
239141------------------------
12 -40
4.3
239114------------------------
0 -14
3 9
Bayboro loam -
oam•239115-----------------•______
239115 ------------------------
14 -21
4.5
239145 ------------------------
0 -12
40
239116 ........................
21 -40
4 9
239146........................
12 -18
44
Pamilco muck•
239147------------------------
18 -42
4.5
239126------------------------
0 - 6
3.4
239127 ........................
6 -22
3 5
239128.-.--• ..................
22 -46
3 4
239129------------------------
46 -65
4.0
Determinations made by the hydrogen -electrode -aethod o the laboratorle9 of the Bureau of Chemiatry
and Soils.

SOIL SURVEY OF CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 29
Owing to the low elevation, drainage is not easily effected. Large
areas of potentially good agricultural lands are unfit for cultivation
because of poor drainage and are better adapted to forestry. Pres-
ent economic conditions do not warrant the necessary expenditure
to drain these areas. Leon fine sand St. Johns fine sand, St. Lucie
fine sand, and Blanton fine sand are all very good forest soils but are
poor for cultivated crops. Some of the poorly drained soils are
good forest soils.
For additional information on agricultural methods and manage-
ment, the State Agricultural Experiment Station recommends the
following bulletins:
North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 255, Influence of
Crop Rotation and Soil Treatments Upon the Yield of Crops on Norfolk Sandy
Loam Boll; 262, Value of Lime on Norfolk Sandy Loam Soil as Shown by the
Relative Yields and Profits of Crops (crown in Rotation Under Different Soil
Treatments; 281, Approved Practices for Peanut Growers; 283, Results of Five
Years' Fertilizer Experiments with Irish Potatoes in Eastern North Carolina;
and 292, Crop Response to Lime and Fertilizer on Muck Soil.
North Carolina Agricultural College Extension Agronomy Information Cir-
culars 87, Tobacco Fertilizer Recommendations for 1965; and 88, Fertilizer
Analyses for Different North Carolina Crops, Including the Best Percentages
of Water Insoluble Nitrogen of Totals in Fertilizer Mixtures Recommended.
MORPHOLOGY AND GENESIS OF SOILS
Carteret County lies along the Atlantic seaboard within what is
known as the flatwoods section of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. It is
in the Red and Yellow soils region of the United States. Elevations
range from sea level to about 30 feet above and a large part of the
land is from 2 to 8 feet above sea level. The county is strongly in-
dented by broad deep tidal streams, which are flanked by areas of
tidal marsh. Natural drainage has not been established in large
areas of flat relief which maintain the constructional form of the
land as laid down by the sea. Except in a few of the higher lying
areas, the water table is near the surface.
The soils have developed in a warm temperate climate under an
average annual rainfall of 5126 inches. All the mineral soils were
originally forested with pines and some oaks, and, in addition, with
some gum and cypress on the more poorly drained areas. All the
better drained soils are naturally low in organic matter. Many of
the flatter areas have remained in a wet swampy condition for a
long period, and vegetation has flourished, decayed, and become a
part of the soil. All the soils of the county are slightly to very
strongly acid.
The soils may be broadly grouped into (1) mineral soils, and (2)
Bog or organic soils.
The mineral soils constitute about one-half of the area of the
county. All the mineral soils have developed through soil -forming
processes from unconsolidated beds of fine sand, fine sandy clays, and
clay. The parent material varies considerably from place to place,
and its influence is shown in the texture and structure of the B
horizon. The parent material underlying the Bladen and Craven
soils is much heavier than that underlying the Norfolk, Dunbar, and
Onslow soils.
The acreage of well -drained light-colored and light -textured soils
is comparatively small. These soils occur mainly in the west -central

30 BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY AND SOILS, 1985
part of the county along Bogue Sound and Neuse, Newport, and
Whiteoak Rivers, and are included in the Craven Norfolk, Blanton,
and St. Lucie series. With the exception of the Rrfolk and Craven
soils, none of the soils have normally developed profiles. Even the
profiles of the Norfolk and Craven soils are by no means so well
developed as in the higher part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The
B horizon is thin, and mottlings appear nearer the surface. These
are the only soils which show any appreciable amount of eluviation
in the A horizon and illuviation in the B horizon.
The youthfulness of the profiles of most soils is directly caused
by imperfect drainage and a high water table, which have impeded
the soil -forming processes and prevented the normal development
of the soils. The various stages of soil development, from theyoung-
est to the most mature, are shown by the series beginning with tidal
marsh and continuing through the Bladen, Portsmouth, Dunbar,
Craven, and Norfolk soils.
Chemical and mechanical analyses of typical profiles of several
important soils similar to those in Carteret County are given in
tables 6 and 7.
TAsrc 8. -Chemical coposition of colloids and pH determinations of important
soils' similar to those in Carteret County, N. C.
Boll type and ample no.
Location
Depth
BIO,
T10,
A1,0,
ft0o
Moo
Cs0
M`O
lad"
Per-
Per-
Per-
Pen
Per-
Per-
per.
Norfolk Am and loam:
cant
cent
Beat
cent
cent
tent
Beat
C_294____...
10-12
35.97
1.23
3214
10.70
001
& 85
0.39
C-295
Wayne County, N. C.
117-34
37 54
1 10
34 41
1241
.01
.50
.52
...............
C-295 ...............
No loam:
36-80
88 73
.90
84.10
11.97
.01
.7a
47
Dunbar Hne sandy loam:
C-294 ................
C-293
Wayne County.N.C-._
53
.27
.10
14 03
1 06
1.86
1.61
C-296 ...............
----------------
0- 5
41.47
1.90
25.91
4.75
.02
.15
.88
C-299 ...............
Dunbar fine sandy loam:
6-14
43.48
1.00
38.20
&69
.02
.07
.N
C -M ..............
C-298----------------
14-28
48.70
1.22
3262
6.21
.02
.07
.58
C-801--------------•
Lenoir County, N. C_.
M'44
40 al
1.36
29.94
1192
.02
.09
.64
Portsmouth fine sandy
C-300----------------
33
.01
.05
13 00
.88
2.27
1.96
loam:
C-301 ---- _______.....
Lenoir County, N.O_.__
•36
15
.07
13 20
.99
124
1.81
Com---------------
& Ba
Portsmouth ndy
0-16
88.60
1.92
22.23
209
.02
.41
.15
0-,909---------------
loam
16-35
4& 27
3.63
33 76
290
.01
.12
.16
0810.--------------
C-906 ................
60-60
46 34
257
3200
3.71
.01
.19
.29
Boa type and sample no.
Location
Koo
Na3o
Pool
1pl-
tion
Or.
8enlo
Molecular
ratio
pg
lose
matter
810,
8103
A1,03
R,03
Per-
Per-
Per-
Per
Per-
cent
tent
cent
cent
cent
No loam:
0 52
0 16
0.10
17.88
4.65
1.90
1.57
&I
C-294 ................
C-293
Wayne County.N.C-._
53
.27
.10
14 03
1 06
1.86
1.61
4.8
----------------
.30
.20
.07
14.29
.77
1.93
1.57
4.8
Dunbar fine sandy loam:
C-298----------------
25.3l
10
23.41
1&23
161
235
4.9
C-299 ................
28
.22
.05
14.61
236
2.23
197
4.6
C-300----------------
33
.01
.05
13 00
.88
2.27
1.96
4.4
C-301 ---- _______.....
Lenoir County, N.O_.__
•36
15
.07
13 20
.99
124
1.81
4.4
& Ba
Portsmouth ndy
loam
C-906 ................
.19
.19
.08
39.38
3099
2 56
2 41
4.1
C-309----------------
30.19
06
14 05
2.35
2 26
119
4.8
C-310 ................
.46
.31
.09
14 24
2.34
147
130
4.4
3 Data taken from U. B. Department of A eniture Technical Bulletin No. 694, The Chemlal Cont.
pwltlou of Bolls and Colloids of the Nor[olt an Related Soil Berlet.

SOIL SURVEY OF CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 31
TAwA 7.--Meobatttoai anatyeee of important soda' 8Wlar to those in Carteret
County, N. C.
I Data taken from U. S. Department of AsdooltureTechalal Bulletin No. 69b The Chemical Composition
ofSoils
Th colloidsdo
do not Iids of ncludeNeorrpNolk lo maatter.Related Boil Babe.
A profile description of Craven fine sandy loam soil as observed
along the road 2 mules south of Merrimon Is as follows:
As and A,. 0 to 1% Inches, dark -brown leafmold and dark -gray loamy fine
sand.
As. 1% to 10 Inches, yellow loamy fine sand.
Bi. 10 to 28 Inches, ol)ve-drab slightly plastic heavy clay.
Bs. 28 to 42 inches, mottled yellow, gray, and brown One sandy clay.
O. 42 inches -F, light -gray, yellow, and light -red mottled friable fine sandy
civ
Craven fine sandy loam, flat phase, has poorer surface drainage,
the Bt horizon is thin, and the mottlings In the Bs horizon are
nearer the surface.
Norfolk fine sandy loam differs essentially from Craven fine sandy
loam in having yellow friable fine sandy clay in the B horizon and
mottled and friable fine sandy clay in the C horizon instead of
Fine
Gowns
Medlum
Flne
Boil type and sample no.
Lomtion
Depth
Rravel
sand
p-06
mad
(06 086
and
(0.46-0.1
(%1 mm)
mm)
mm)
two
Norfolk line randy loam:
laeAa
0.18
Percent
L 7
Percent
4 6
Percent
9.9
Pereeet
2& 9
C-404 .................
C_206.................
lway10e County, N. O.._
1431
L 0
6.1
7.7
80 4
C-206-----------------
((
86 80
L 2
4.8
7.9
M 7
Dunbar line randy loam:
C-299-----------------
0-6
.8
1.8
3.4
89.8
C-499-----------------
6-12
.8
1.0
&8
71.6
C-800 .................
16-49
.4
.9
20
2&4
C-0Ol-----------------
28-14
.4
LO
29
218
Fortamouth ane sandy
Lenoir County, N. C_. -
loam:
C-009 .................
0-16
.6
& 1
7.2
88.6
C-309-----------------
16-M
.9
4.2
&9
30.4
C-310 .................
6060
1.0
&2
&8
84.9
Pam? co muck:
1
C-81113--- ..............
)701008 County, N. C...._
-36
221
0-312-----------------
1
I 40
L i 8
IL
1718
80.
Very ane 8Ut (0.06-
eaOd
Clay
Colloid a
organic
type and sample no.
140tlo10
06
OA06
(0006-0
(4004-0
matter
mm
mm)
mm)
mm)
by Hi0a
Norfolk ane sandy loam:
Pint
Percent
Percent
Percent
Percent
C -21M .................1
C_296 .................
twayne County, N. C...
17.8
14.0
29.4
22.7
8.9
29.8
1.9
23.6
407
.02
C-296 ................ -
(
13.7
21.8
81.8
MI.
.00
Dunbar ane sandy loam:
C-208 .................
234
81.1
a0
4.7
&2
F299-----------------
224
829
11.6
7.6
C -30O-----------------
19.4
849
21.9
146
.6
.1
C-301 -----------------17.7
29.7
20.2
28.0
.2
Fortmnouth ane sandy
Lenoir County, N. 0_-_
loam:
C-909-----------------
21.8
19.2
& 7
& 0
4 0
C-400-----------------
21.6
21.11
16.2
11.1
.2
C-810-----------------
19.4
14.2
1&$
IL 9
Pamlloo moot:
.2
C-313 -----------------
313-----------------
1
( &9
14.4
7.4
6.4
128
..
C-311 ...............
}Jones County, N. O_.__
{ 48
129
7.6
8.1
21.1
C-812---.....'...-.-_-
!!
l 4.1
14.2
17.6
14.8
.8
I Data taken from U. S. Department of AsdooltureTechalal Bulletin No. 69b The Chemical Composition
ofSoils
Th colloidsdo
do not Iids of ncludeNeorrpNolk lo maatter.Related Boil Babe.
A profile description of Craven fine sandy loam soil as observed
along the road 2 mules south of Merrimon Is as follows:
As and A,. 0 to 1% Inches, dark -brown leafmold and dark -gray loamy fine
sand.
As. 1% to 10 Inches, yellow loamy fine sand.
Bi. 10 to 28 Inches, ol)ve-drab slightly plastic heavy clay.
Bs. 28 to 42 inches, mottled yellow, gray, and brown One sandy clay.
O. 42 inches -F, light -gray, yellow, and light -red mottled friable fine sandy
civ
Craven fine sandy loam, flat phase, has poorer surface drainage,
the Bt horizon is thin, and the mottlings In the Bs horizon are
nearer the surface.
Norfolk fine sandy loam differs essentially from Craven fine sandy
loam in having yellow friable fine sandy clay in the B horizon and
mottled and friable fine sandy clay in the C horizon instead of

32 BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY AND SOILS, 1835
mottled heavy clay. The deep phase of Norfolk fine sandy loam
represents those areas where the eluviated A horizon is much deeper
and lighter colored than in the typical soil.
Dunbar fine sandy loam differs from Norfolk fine sandy loam in
having a darker surface soil and a thinner B horizon; the C horizon
is the same.
Norfolk fine sand, Blanton fine sand, and St. Lucie fine sand are,
well drained. The principal difference between these fine sands is
in color.
Following is a profile description of Onslow fine sandy loam as
observed in an area of virgin soil 2 miles northeast of Beaufort on
United States Highway No. 70.
A,. 0 to 4 inches, dark -gray loamy fine sand or fine sandy loam.
A,. 4 to B inches, light -gray loamy line sand.
B,. 8 to 10 inches, dark -brown concretionary cemented fine sand, locally
called hardpan. The cementing material is iron and organic natter.
B,. 10 to 15 inches, pale -yellow One sandy loam.
B,. 15 to 28 Inches, olive -drab yellow heavy One sandy clay.
C,. 28 to 48 inches, mottled light -gray, yellowish -brown, and light -red
heavy slightly plastic fine sandy clay.
Co. 48 inches +, light -grey friable sandy clay.
Onslow loamy fine sand differs from Onslow fine sandy loam in
that it is loamy fine sand to a depth of 3 or more feet and the
brown layer is thinner and more imperfectly developed.
A profile description of Portsmouth fine sandy loam, a Half -Bog
soil, as observed in an area of virgin soil 3 miles east of Newport,
follows:
1. 0 to 9 inches, black fine sandy loam, highly charged with organic
matter.
2. 9 to 18 inches, gray heavy fine sandy loam.
S. 18 to 40 Inches, gray friable fine sandy clay mottled with yellow.
4. 40 inches +, white loamy fine sand, saturated with water.
Portsmouth fine sandy loam, swamp phase, differs from the typi-
cal soil in that the black layer is deeper and occupies lower lying
and less well drained areas. Portsmouth loam has a deep surface
layer and a more uniformly gray color than Portsmouth fine sandy
loam. Portsmouth fine sand has a black fine sand surface soil
and a gray fine sand subsoil.
Plummer fine sandy loam differs from Portsmouth fine sandy loam
mainly in having a gray loamy fine sand surface soil.
The Bladen soils occur in close association with the Portsmouth
and Bayboro soils. They differ essentially from the Portsmouth
and Bayboro soils in having less organic matter and, therefore,
lighter color in the surface soil and a Heavier subsoil. The low
phase of Bladen fine sandy loam occupies a very low position, grad-
ing from tidal marsh on one side to an elevation of 2 feet above
sea level on the other. As mapped, Bayboro loam has a black loam
surface soil and a steel -gray, mottled with brownish yellow, heavy
plastic clay subsoil.
Hyde loam is not materially different from Bayboro loam except
that the laver of black surface soil overlying the steel -gray heavy
plastic subsoil is deeper.
Leon fine sand and St. Johns fine sand are characterized by a
well-defined so-called "hardpan" layer or ortstein, characteristic
of the Ground -Water Podzol. The depth of this layer below the

SOIL SURVEY OF CARTERET COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 33
surface ranges from 12 to 80 inches and its thickness ranges from
2 to 15 inches. The upper part of this layer is hard and black,
whereas the lower part is soft and brown. In places two or more
hardpan layers occur in a profile to a depth of 5 to 6 feet. The
hardpan layer is composed of fine sand, cemented and stained with
organic matter. Leon fine sand has a light-colored surface soil
and is fairly well drained, whereas St. Johns fine sand has a black
and poorly drained surface soil.
The Bog, or organic, soils comprise about one-third of the county.
These soils have been classed as peat, Pamlico muck, and Pamlico
muck, shallow phase. They consist largely of organic matter in
various stages of decomposition and contain only a small quantity
of mineral matter. The organic matter in Pamlico muck is fairly
well decomposed and is black, whereas peat is brown, fibrous, and
less decomposed.
The large areas of tidal marsh consist of muck and peaty mate-
rial and also areas of mineral soils which contain considerable
organic matter.
Swamp denotes those areas which are permanently wet and consist
of a mixture of materials.
Bordering the Atlantic Ocean are strips of land rangingg from a
few hundred feet to a mile in width of light -brown fine sand
which has been mapped as coastal beach. Areas of this fine sand
that support a growth of oak, cedar, and yaupon have been classed
as coastal beach, scrub phase.
SUMMARY
Carteret County is in the southeastern part of North Carolina, the
eastern and southern boundaries bordering the Atlantic Ocean for a
distance of about 80 miles. The general relief is low and flat, and
the elevationran from sea level to about 60 feet above. The
county is indented by numerous tidal streams, many of which are
broad, particularly near Bogue Sound. The greater part of the
area is so low and flat that natural drainage has not been established.
There are large areas of tidal marsh and higher lying areas of waste
land, known as the Open Grounds. Undulating to gently rolling
areas border the streams or swamps.
The county was settled about 1700, and the first settlements were
made on the better drained lands aldng the principal drainageways.
The population is very unevenly distributed, se practicallY all of
the inhabitants live within 1 wile of navigable waters. )Railroad
facilities are fair, and public roads lead to the main parts of the
po.pulated sections. Richmond, Washington, Baltimore, Philadel-
phia, and New York are the principal outside markets.
The climate is mild and pleasant most of the year. The frost -
free season is 270 days, or almost 9 months. Hardy truck crops can
be grown during the winter and many crops in the early spring.
The abundant mean annual rainfall of 51.26 inches is well distributed
throughout the year.
Only a small proportion of the land is farmed, and the rest is
cut -over land, large treeless areas, tidal marsh, and coastal beach.
Agriculture is based on the production of corn, sweetpotatoes, po-
tatoes, peanuts, and tobacco, together with some cotton and a wide

34 BUREAU OF CHEMISTRY AND SOILS, 1836
variety of vegetables. Many persons live on the islands or near
Bogue and Core Sounds and make their living by catching fish oys-
ters, shrimp, and crabs. Some fishermen carry on part -tune arm-
ing—that is, they produce enough corn and vegetables for home
consumption.
The light-colored well -drained soils of the Norfolk, Craven, and
Dunbar series dominate the agriculture of the county. On these soils
is produced all the tobacco and most of the cotton, peanuts, water-
melons, sweetpotatoes, and early vegetables. These soils warm early
in the spring. They are not the most fertile soils in the county, but
they possess suchgood physical properties that they respond readily
to fertilization ant! very easily tilled.
The surface soils of the Bladen, Bayboro, Portsmouth, and Hyde
series are dark colored to black. This dark color is due to a high
content of organic matter. They occupy low level areas and are
poorly drained. The cultivated areas have been artificially drained.
The necessary artificial drainage of large areas of these potentially
good lands can be accomplished most effectively by district or com-
munity cooperation. Good yields of corn, potatoes, soybeans, cab-
bage, and many truck crops are obtained when these soils are properly
drained.
In addition to the agricultural soils, there are extensive areas of
Pamlico muck, swamp, tidal marsh coastal beach, and various kinds
of fine sand, which are not used lzor farming purposes. Of these,
the Leon, St. Johns, Blanton, and Plummer soils, and swamp can
be used advantageously for the production of timber. The large
areas of Pamlico muck and peat do not support a good forest growth,
and in some places there are no trees.
Carteret County has a large area of undeveloped land that could
be reclaimed by canals and ditches and would support a much larger
population when economic conditions warrant the extension of agri-
culture. These soils would be suitable for the production of staple
crops and potatoes, cabbage, turnip tops, beans, and sweetpotatoes.
Y S. GOTCIIIIMCNT I MINTING 0►/IC11I1110

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