REVISION OF SOILS IN THE ALBEMARLE AREA. 13 



Uncleared areas support a growth of oak, including blackjack and 

 other scrubby varieties, dogwood, chinquapin, fox grape, and witch- 

 hazel. 



HOLSTON STONY SANDY LOAM. 



The Holston stony sandy loam is the most extensive type of the 

 Shenandoah terrace. It is confined largely to the higher levels and 

 is the dominant soil near the base of the Blue Ridge. In its most 

 typical development it consists of a gray to grayish-yellow sandy 

 loam, underlain at about 10 to 24 inches by yellow heavy sandy loam 

 to sandy clay. Occasionally the deep subsoil has a decidedly reddish 

 cast, such areas representing a gradation toward the Waynesboro 

 soils, probably showing the Influence of better drainage. Rounded 

 stones are everywhere abundant on the surface and throughout the 

 soil section. It was difficult to bore to the depth of 3 feet on account 

 of these stones. In some places the type grades into stony loamy 

 sand, as in the case of Chinquapin Flats just south of Lyndhurst. 



The type has good drainage but retains moisture fairly well, espe- 

 cially where the organic matter supply is not too badly depleted. The 

 greater proportion is timbered chiefly with several varieties of oak, 

 including chestnut oak and several species of scrubby oak. Hickory, 

 dogwood, chinquapin, witch hazel, and some pine are also seen in 

 places. 



Corn, rye, and cowpeas give satisfactory yields. Such crops as 

 lima beans, Irish potatoes, and cantaloupes could be successfully 

 grown, possibly on a commercial scale. In several places Winesap 

 apple trees were apparently making a good healthful growth. Many 

 areas could be improved by picking off the stones. Like the sandy 

 loam members of the series, the soil needs vegetable matter in liberal 

 amounts. Commercial fertilizers would also effect a decided improve- 

 ment in the yields. 



HOLSTON LOAM. 



The Holston loam is a light-brown loam to silty loam, underlain by 

 fairly friable yellow silty clay. It is most typically and extensively 

 developed over the nearly flat areas in the lower levels of the Shenan- 

 doah terrace. Representative areas occur in the vicinity of Yancey. 



It is a good general farm crop soil, especially for wheat, timothy, 

 clover, and corn. Irish potatoes, lima beans, and a number of 

 other vegetables find this soil well suited to their requirements. 

 Rotations should be practiced which include such legumes as cow- 

 peas and clover, particularly since the soil is somewhat inclined to 

 run together and bake in dry weather where the organic matter 

 supply is low. Acreage applications of 1 ton of burned lime would 

 undoubtedly prove beneficial. Fertilizers relatively high in phos- 



