ly] LANDSCAPES AND VEGETATION 557 



or Other lasting deterioration, though fertilizers and simple crop- 

 rotations are often used. This land is of very good productivity 

 and, being level or nearly so, is practically free from any possibility 

 of erosion. The soil is easy to work, deep, and at least fairly well 

 supplied with plant nutrients. 



II. With simple practices — such as contour cultivation, strip 

 cropping, growing protective cover-crops, or simple water-manage- 

 ment. This is good land but not quite as good as that comprising 

 Class I — -owing to physical conditions such as the slope, which may 

 be just steep enough to make water run off at a speed that will 

 carry away soil. Or the soil may be so wet as to require drainage, 

 or, alternatively, may be rather dry. In any case there are deficiencies 

 which either limit the use of the land to some extent or require 

 attention year after year. 



III. With complex or intensive practices — such as terracing, 

 though usually a combination of remedies is needed. This is 

 moderately good land for cultivation, being more limited than that 

 of Class II by reason of one or more natural features. It can be 

 regularly used for crops only with intensive treatment and employing 

 the best of farming methods. Sometimes the slope demands erosion 

 control, or it may be undesirably dry or, alternatively, so wet as to 

 require drainage. 



IV. With intensive practices and limited use — such as cultivation 

 in small plots or on long rotations with only occasional crops. This 

 land is not suitable for regular production of cultivated crops, most 

 often because of steepness and consequent danger of erosion. 

 Commonly it can be cultivated safely perhaps one year in every 

 six ; in the other years it is best used for hay or pasturage. Some 

 cases are too dry for dependable cropping without irrigation. It 

 is only fairly good for arable crops but usually affords good grazing 

 or forest land provided the rainfall or other precipitation is adequate. 



B. Suitable for permanent pasture or woodland but not for cultivation 



V. Without special practices — land only slightly susceptible to 

 deterioration when the range is fully grazed or the forest is widely 

 cut. It is usually nearly level and accordingly not subject to erosion, 

 but, because of wetness, climate, or such permanent obstructions 

 as rocky outcrops, is not suitable for cultivation. However, the 

 soil is deep and the land has few limitations for any kind of grazing 

 or for forestry use, which should be entirely successful. 



VI. With some restriction in use — land moderately susceptible 



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