464 THE COASTAL PLAIN OF NORTH CAROLINA.

Geology.—The Patuxent formation, consisting of arkosic sands and
drab clays, is believed to underlie about the northwestern third of the
county. The beds of this formation dip gently to the southeast and
pass beneath the overlying Black Oreek formation. The latter under-
lies all the remaining area, with the possible exception of a narrow strip
along the southeastern border, where the Peedee formation may‘ be pres-
ent, resting conformably upon the Black Creek formation. Thin sheets
of Miocene sands, clays, and shell marls probably occupying discon-
nected areas occur resting upon the Black Creek or Peedee beds over
about the southern: half of the county. Over all older formations is
spread a blanket of sandy clays, sands, and gravels, of Pleistocene age,
belonging for the most part to the Coharie and Sunderland formations,
but in the narrow, lower terraces bordering the larger streams, to the
Wicomico formation. :
Water Resouwrces.—Over the greater part of the county the inhabit-
ants depend upon the basal sandy and gravelly beds of the Pleistocene
formations for their chief supply of water for ordinary purposes. The
common method of obtaining water is by means of shallow, open or
driven wells ranging in depth from 10 to 30 feet. In a number of
communities the people are beginning to recognize the value of the
underlying Black Oreek and Patuxent beds as sources of artesian

At Lumberton, the county-seat, a number of wells have been drilled, ia
and on low ground near Lumber River some excellent flows have been _ ee
obtained. But little detailed information has been secured concerning
individual wells. | The following general information has been fur-
nished by the mayor, Mr. E. K. Proctor, Jr.:

Several wells were sunk in 1896, the depths ranging from 82 to 114

 

limits, located on ground lower than the general level, which flow from

5s to 35 gallons per minute. One well was drilled by the town to a

depth of 400 feet, but the water was found to rise no higher than in
“Wells mentioned ; and in quality it was not as satisfactory.