16 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1903. 



sometimes less than 6 feet in depth and is underlain by the adjacent 

 valley soil, over which it has been spread by freshets or winds. 



In point of extent and agricultural value this is an important soil 

 type. Long, narrow bodies of the soil occur throughout the area 

 along the margin of the Maricopa gravelly loam and the Maricopa 

 sand. More uniform and extensive bodies are found over the base of 

 the larger secondary fans forming the outer slopes and levels of the 

 valley floor. Often the fans consist almost wholly of this material, and 

 a number of such fans and washes frequently coalesce into broad sheets 

 covering large areas along the outlying portions of the valley. Such 

 bodies occur in the vicinity of Safford, Thatcher, and Pima. On one 

 side it grades into the coarse Maricopa sand and on the other into the 

 Gila tine sandy loam and the Maricopa silt loam. 



The surface of this soil t} 7 pe is usually level, although sometimes 

 pitted by erosion and occasionall} r cut b\- small washes. It possesses 

 good natural drainage, artificial drainage of the land being rendered 

 necessary only where seepage water from adjoining land has collected. 

 Such areas are at present of very small extent. 



In origin and processes of formation this type is very similar to the 

 Maricopa sand, the only difference consisting in the small percentage 

 of fine sand and silt deposits of the Gila River that have been added 

 to the Maricopa sand. 



Alkali salts occur in the Maricopa sandy loam only to a veiy limited 

 extent. Except in small areas near the soil boundaries, where the 

 salts from heavier subsoils may accumulate at the surface under the 

 influence of irrigation, this alkali need cause no alarm. 



This soil type is easily tilled, does not puddle or bake, and when 

 properly cultivated and fertilized with green or stable manure pro- 

 duces excellent crops of grain, alfalfa, fruit, and vegetables. It car- 

 ries less mineral and organic plant food than the heavier soils of the 

 valley and is more easily exhausted, but the constant addition of sedi- 

 ment from the irrigating water tends to remed} r this. 



This type is especiall}' adapted to the growing of garden and truck 

 crops, tomatoes, small and stone fruits, and apples. It is very reten- 

 tive of moisture and is considered one of the most valuable soils of the 

 valle} r . With proper cultivation sugar beets would probably do well 

 on this soil. 



The table following shows the results of mechanical analyses of 

 t} T pical samples of fine earth of this soil. 



