SOIL SURVEY OF SOLOMONSVILLE AREA, ARIZONA. 



15 



Bodies of the Maricopa sand lying adjacent to the gravel-covered 

 slopes of the Maricopa gravelly loam and in close proximity to canyon 

 mouths often contain such a large percentage of gravel as to render 

 them unfit for cultivation. Such areas are usually above the canal 

 lines and are of no agricultural value except for grazing. The lower 

 slopes, where gravel occurs only as small pebbles and in moderate or 

 small amounts, or disappears altogether, yield, under proper cultiva- 

 tion and irrigation, fair crops of alfalfa, wheat, and barley. This soil 

 is somewhat deficient in organic matter, and the practice of green and 

 stable manuring, with careful rotation of crops, is recommended. 

 The type is easily tilled, and with proper treatment should form 

 valuable land for the production of fruit and truck crops. 



There is an upland phase of this soil which, with the exception of 

 a small area south of Pima, lies above the present level of irrigation 

 and is of value only for grazing. 



The following table shows the results of mechanical analyses of the 

 fine earth of this type: 



Mechanical analyses of Maricopa sand. 



MARICOPA SANDY LOAM. 



The Maricopa sandy loam consists of a coarse grayish or brownish 

 sandy loam, usually 6 feet or more in depth. In the vicinity of the 

 canyon mouths are frequent interlacing beds of coarse gravel, river- 

 wash, and lime-gravel hard pan. Small deposits of fine micaceous 

 sand, sandy loam, and silt sometimes occur. Gravel also occurs upon 

 the surface, sometimes in excessive quantities. 



The bodies of this soil nearer the middle of the valley floor and 

 covered by the irrigating systems are free from gravel, or nearly so. 

 Where gravel does occur it varies from small pebbles to small bowl- 

 ders and is similar in character to that of the Maricopa sand. 



The subsoil of this type is sometimes streaked and pitted with small 

 patches of the Maricopa sand. Near its outer boundaries the soil is 



