S'24 PLANT LIKK oK ALABAMA. 



saiU to t'i>iiM'i(l(' with tln^ belt most (';ivoral)le t() tlic raisin;; of tlie 

 peach, as is clearly shown by the snccess achieved by tiie growers of 

 tliis fruit on a large scale in the atijoiuing l)art8 of Georgia of the 

 same ideological foiination. 



The dritted loamy sands and pebbles of more recent formations over- 

 lie to a large exteilt the heavier and stronger calcareous marls and 

 clayey strata of the old Tertiary, Creta(;eons, and Paleozoic foiinations. 

 Theii- mingling, indicated by aniixed growth of [)ines and hardwood 

 trees (mostly oaks), gives rise to a combinatiou of conditions most 

 favorable to the prodnction of cotton, with regard both to the quality 

 of the staple and the amount of the yield. The resultant soils consist 

 of deep mellow loams of a warm and generous character, which are of 

 moderate and lasting fertility, more or less porous and hence naturally 

 well drained, and mostly highly terruginnus. Such soils are jieculiarly 

 well adapted for the produc^timi of a cotton plant of a sturdy growth, 

 which being restrained from the too exuberant develoj)ment of 

 branches and leaves teuds to a more prolific yield of the organs of 

 reproduction ; that is, the fi uit. They are at the same time more easy of 

 cultivation and less favorable to the rank production of grasses and 

 other weeds, which in wet seasons greatly injure the crop, but which 

 on lands of this character aie easier to overcome. Accordingly the 

 uplands in which this (M)mbination of soil conditions prevails, comi)ris 

 ing the larger part of the arable area in the State, offer decided 

 advantages to the grower of its great staple crop over the most fertile 

 alluvial valley lands. 



The forests of deciduous-leaved trees, which cover the uplands in 

 the Tennessee Valley, with their varied growth, chiefly of white oak, 

 Southern red oak, black oak, shagbark and mockernut hickory, tulip tree 

 (poplar), walnut, elm, maple, white ash, chestnut, and linden, indicate 

 calcareous, fertile, and somewhat heavy strong soils. These soils, from 

 a reddish to a brown color, yield fine crops of cotton and corn, tilled 

 ground being devoted to these in about equal proportion. On the lands 

 of this character, prevailing over the larger part of the Tennessee Val- 

 ley and the larger outlying valleys, in the drainage area of the Warrior 

 and Coosa rivers, the cultivation of red clover enters successfully into 

 the system of farming, and north of the Tennessee River the establish- 

 ment of the blue grass pasture becomes i^ossible. Ai)ples and pears of 

 numerous varieties cultivated farther north, as well as the peach, are 

 grown successfully on the hills; and the dark grapes on the flanks of 

 I he valleys make a fine table wine. 



