812 ASHLEY — CtEOLOGY OF ARKANSAS. [May 13, 



sands with some clay. As shown by analysis, they are lacking in 

 lime, and, over much of the region, the proportion of gravel to sand 

 is so large as to make the land of little value with present modes of 

 farming. 



However, when the value of fertilizers becomes recognized, it is 

 probable that this section, with its level yet well-drained areas, will 

 form some of the most desirable agricultural land in the region. 



At present a great forest of pine with some hard woods covers 

 nearly the whole exposure of the overwash ; there are but few farms 

 and habitations on it at present. 



Residicary Soils. — Residuary soils are those formed by the decom- 

 position of the underlying rocks, and, as in this region these rocks 

 are mostly sandstones, we have little else than sands with some 

 clayey sands in the valleys. 



Almost universally these soils have been enriched by the decaying 

 leaves of the all-prevailing forest. This gives, when first cleared, 

 considerable fertility, but as fertilizers are for the most part wholly 

 unknown, or unthought of, this richness lasts but a {^w years. 

 There is no doubt but that this soil, primarily rich, may, by proper 

 care and the use of fertilizers, be made not only to maintain in- 

 definitely its fertility, but even to become more productive with 

 time. Proof of this exists in the very rare cases where some one 

 does use fertilizers, with the result of every year raising twice as 

 much to the acre as any of his neighbors, and each year leaving the 

 land in better condition than the year before. 



Alluvial Soils. — The alluvial soils form the bottom land along 

 all the streams of any size. They are the cream of the agricultural 

 lands. The reason for this is that they not only combine all the 

 elements found in the other soils, but the rich vegetable mould, 

 which in the residuary soils forms a layer on top, is here dissemi- 

 nated from top to bottom, so that they retain their fertility a long 

 time. The idea so generally held that they will retain their fer- 

 tility indefinitely is of course not correct. 



The bottom lands are generally flooded lands upon which the 

 river has for long periods deposited its load of silt and mud, until, 

 having changed its course or deepened its channel, the land is left 

 suitable for use. They are lacking in lime, as no lime is touched 

 by the depositing streams. A few of them are still subject to over- 

 flow in highest water, which, to some extent, renews their fertility. 



Amelioration of Soils. — Fortunately the work of Geological Survey 



