The Bulletin 



29 



The following table gives the results of analyses of the soil and sub- 

 soil of the Cecil coarse sandy loam : 



IBEDELL FINE SANDY LOAM 



The Iredell fine sandy loam, or "blackjack land," consists of 5 to 10 

 inches of a gray or brown fine sandy loam. This is underlain by a 

 yellow, or brownish yellow, impervious sticky clay called "pipe clay," or 

 "beeswax land." This is extremely sticky when moist and cracks open 

 upon drying. It seldom extends below 24 or 30 inches, grading at these 

 depths into the rotten rock. A few small rounded iron concretions are 

 usually present in the soil. 



This type comprises 17,472 acres, lying mainly in the northwestern 

 and western parts of the county along Mallard Creek and south of Long 

 Creek Church. Its surface features vary from level to rolling, most of 

 it being rolling and composed of ridges, knolls, and slopes. In some sec- 

 tions the topography is rough and broken, especially in places along the 

 Cabarrus County line. The natural surface drainage is good, except 

 for a few flat areas, and here open ditches are necessary. 



The Iredell fine sandy loam has been derived from diorite rock, with 

 some granite. The forest growth is mainly blackjack oak, although 

 some post and willow oak and considerable cedar are seen in places. In 

 abandoned areas old field pine has taken possession of the land. 



The soil is best suited to small grains and .grasses and should be used 

 for pasturage purposes. The areas occupying the more favorable topog- 

 raphy are fairly well suited for the production of cotton and corn. Cot- 



