14 SOILS OF THE SHENANDOAH RIVER TERRACE. 



phoric acid are frequently used on soils of this character with profit- 

 able results. 



HOLSTOX STONY LOAM. 



This soil is essentially the same as the Holston loam, except in the 

 greater abundance of rounded rocks. It is adapted to the same crops 

 and requires about the same treatment. Most of this type could be 

 more easily handled if the stones were removed. 



DEKALB SOILS. 



According to the recent standards of soil correlation, that portion 

 of the original Edgemont stony loam of the Albemarle survey lying 

 above the 1,500-foot contour line, as the approximate boundary 

 between the mountains and the Shenandoah terrace, belongs in the 

 Dekalb series. 



There is some variation in the characteristics of these soils as here 

 developed, but the prevailingly rough topography and the intricate 

 association of the different types precluded separation in the original 

 map. with the exception of a portion derived from shales. 



The Dekalb soils included in the old Edgemont stony loam are 

 mountainous with many steep, precipitous slopes and sharp ridges. 

 They are very stony, in some places representing the type that is 

 being mapped as Rough stony land. 



With some mention of the important variations, it seems best to 

 classify these soils as the Dekalb stony sandy loam. 



DEKALB STONY SANDY LOAM. 



The Dekalb stony sandy loam is a residual soil derived from 

 quartzite rock. Typically it is a gray loamy sand, grading with depth 

 into a pale yellow sticky sand to light sandy loam, excessively stony 

 from the surface downward. The stone consists very largely of 

 angular quartzite fragments. 



The soil is so open in character that water rapidly percolates down- 

 ward, yet it supports a dense growth of oak, scrubby oak, jack pine, 

 chestnut, and some pine and witch hazel. Huckleberries are a char- 

 acteristic plant on cleared or burned-over areas. Forest fires have 

 prevented the accumulation of a thick leaf mold over considerable 

 areas. 



Along some of the lower slopes and in saddlelike situations betwe 

 the ridges some fine colluvial material has accumulated from 

 giving this soil a more loamy character than in the" case of the typic 

 stony sandy loam. Also some of the smoother situations do not ct 

 so much stone. Such areas were noticed a short distance to the ei 

 and northeast of Basic City. The Dekalb stony sandy loam has 



