REVISION OF SOILS IN THE ALBEMARLE AREA. 15 



been used to any important extent for agricultural purposes. Most 

 of it is too steep and stony to admit of profitable utilization. Some 

 of the smoother slopes may, however, prove profitable for the pro- 

 duction of certain varieties of fruit, but no data could be secured upon 

 which to base positive statements in this connection. Recently some 

 of the less precipitous slopes to the south of Basic City have been 

 cleared, the stumps removed, and the land broken for orchard pur- 

 poses. Some trees have been set out and it is proposed to extend the 

 planting. 



In any attempt at agricultural utilization crops such as cowpeas 

 and rye should be plowed under frequently in order to build up the 

 organic matter content. Any leaf mold present should be incorpo- 

 rated with the soil. Liberal additions of complete fertilizers would 

 be found decidedly beneficial to fruit trees, as would also barnyard or 

 stable manure. 



DEKALB SHALE LOAM. 



The Hagerstown shale loam of the Albemarle area under the 

 present scheme of soil classification would be divided as follows: That 

 portion mapped in the Shenandoah Valley region where the soil is 

 derived from shaly limestone would be classed as Hagerstown shale 

 loam; that in the Blue Ridge Mountains which is derived from shaly 

 or slaty rocks would be classed as Dekalb shale loam: and that in the 

 Piedmont region, which seems to be derived from Triassic rocks, would 

 possibly be classed as a new type. 



The Dekalb shale loam is developed in those belts of the Blue Ridge 

 Mountains occupied by shaly or slaty rocks. In Jarmans Gap the 

 type consists of a grayish-yellow silty loam with an appreciable sand 

 content. This is underlain at a depth of about 10 inches by yellow 

 silty clay loam having a greasy feel. In some places the subsoil has 

 a reddish cast. The unaltered rocks consist of thin-bedded to thick- 

 bedded rocks predominantly of a greenish cast, which weather into 

 yellowish and reddish colors. Fragments of the weathered rock are 

 everywhere abundant. 



Most of this type is forested with oak, chestnut, and jack pine. It 

 probably could be successfully used for apples, Irish potatoes, wheat, 

 and grass, although it is not nearly so productive or valuable as the 

 very good general farm crop and fruit soil, the Hagerstown shale loam 

 of the Limestone Valley region. The latter soil is being used success- 

 fully along with other limestone soils in the vicinity of Waynesboro 

 for the production of wheat, corn, clover, timothy, and apples. 1 



1 Profitable returns are being had with several varieties of apples on the Hagerstown soils in the vicinity 

 of Waynesboro. Some of the most successful varieties are the Stayman Winesap, York Imperial, Rome 

 Beauty, Lowery, Rambo, Grimes Golden, Ben Davis, Rebel, Fall Cheese, Smokehouse, Northern Spy, 

 Delicious, Bonum, Arkansas Black, Red Astrachan, Fallawater, Shockley, Wealthy, and Maiden Blush. 



