previously. The agricultural potential of the Troup-Pl ummer association (7) 

 is not great, and most of the area is pine and hardwood woodlands. The 

 Cowarts-Troup-Esto association (3) soils are better suited to woodlands than 

 agriculture. 



In Baldwin County, near the coast, there is poor correlation between soil 

 associations and the area underlain by the Pleistocene marine terraces. 

 Although the area is in great part Poarch-Pactol us (8), large portions are 

 also Troup-Pl ummer (7) and Mai bi s-Bama-Lucedale (4) association soils. The 

 Poarch-Pactol us association (8) soils are deep, well to somewhat poorly 

 drained, level to very gently sloping soils of uplands. Poarch soils are 

 dark gray i sh- brown fine sandy loam underlain by olive-yellow to yellowish- 

 brown, mottled loam subsoil. The Pactolus soils have a surface layer of dark 

 grayish-brown loamy sand with a mottled, light yellowi sh- brown and gray loamy 

 sand substratum (McBride and Burgess 1964). 



In Mobile County, there is not as much correlation between soil associa- 

 tions and shallow subsurface geology, at least in the upland Southern Pine 

 Hills. Although the Shubuta-Troup-Benndale association (17) is closely 

 correlated with Miocene deposits and the Troup soil series is in almost all 

 the upland areas underlain by the Citronelle (PI io-Pleistocene) and Miocene 

 deposits, very little additional correlation is noted. The Troup-Benndale- 

 Smithton association (11) is predominant in northern Mobile County, while the 

 Troup-Heidel-Bama association (10) is dominant in southern Mobile County. 

 Notcher-Saucier-Mal bis association (14) soils are also found in southern 

 Mobile County, where plinthite is found in the loamy subsoils. Plinthite is 

 a hardened layer in the soil composed of clay and quartz which may form an 

 impervious hardpan layer. 



The Notcher-Saucier-Mal bi s association (14) soils are moderately well 

 drained soils formed in loamy and clayey marine sediments on uplands. 

 Saucier soils are found in flat areas at lower elevations than the Notcher 

 and Mai bis soils. The Notcher and Mai bis soils are found on broad flat 

 ridgetops. Notcher soils are also found on side slopes and at the heads of 

 drainage ways. All have sandy loam surface layers and the plinthite- 

 containing loamy subsoils. Saucier soils have a dark grayish-brown fine 

 sandy loam surface underlain by yellowish-brown fine sandy loam and loam. 

 Notcher and Malbis soils have been previously discussed. Most of this soil 

 association is used either as cropland or pasture. The slow absorption of 

 water by these soils due to the plinthite layer is their main limitation for 

 residential and urban use. 



Troup-Heidel-Bama association (10) soils are found on broad, level, 

 slightly convex ridgetops and slightly steeper slopes next to drainage ways. 

 Heidel and Bama soils are found on the higher flatter areas and have sandy 

 loam surfaces. Troup soils are found on the slightly steeper slopes and have 

 a loamy sand surface. Heidel soils have a dark-brown sandy loam topsoil over- 

 lying a yellowish-red to red fine sandy loam subsoil. Bama and Troup soils 

 have already been discussed. All the soils are well drained, have loamy 

 subsoils, and were formed in loamy marine sediments on uplands. Most of this 

 area is cropland and pasture and the potential for urban and woodland uses is 

 good although erosion and the low water capacity of Troup soils is a limita- 

 tion . 



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