SOIL SURVEY OF THE RED BLUFF AREA, CALIFORNIA. 



23 



Maywood series of soils. It is only in those bodies nearer the alluvial 

 plain of the Sacramento that this type has indistinct boundaries. 

 It is there partially covered by later deposits rather than eroded. 



The Eedding loam is one of the types derived from what remains 

 of the Red Bluff formation. The coarse material in this type cor- 

 responds closelj' to that found in the Redding gravelly sandy loam, 

 and in both types it is probable that weathering and simple erosion, 

 accompanied by the formation of the hardpans, constitutes the total 

 change in the original material. No evidence appears of reworking 

 or mixture with foreign products. It is treeless and presents a 

 forbidding appearance, affording a scant pasturage for sheep. The 

 type is unsuited for agricultural use, the few small areas of grain 

 it supports being of little importance in extent and yields. In the 

 history of grain growing in Tehama County this type was once 

 utilized to the extent of a few crops, but it decreased in yields and 

 was later practically abandoned. 



The possibilities of utilizing this type are important considerations 

 affecting the success of any irrigation project designed to include it. 

 Its area is extensive, and while somewhat elevated a large acreage 

 will probably be irrigable under any general irrigation system. It 

 is. of course, subject to no development without irrigation. Diffi- 

 culty will be had in preparing some of it for irrigation, leveling 

 being necessary. In most cases furrow irrigation will be the most 

 feasible method of applying the water. It has a limited range in 

 crop adaptation, its shallow depths prohibiting the growth of alfalfa, 

 prunes, apricots, and all deeper rooted crops. It is entirely possible, 

 however, that careful culture of berries, some varieties of grapes, figs, 

 olives, and perhaps peaches", will yield returns justifying a water tax. 

 The use of fertilizers will be necessary and the content of organic 

 matter must be increased. To justify the promotion of irrigation 

 development successfully this type should not be made to bear too 

 great a value. The present nominal price of $12 to $18 an acre, in 

 addition to irrigation assessment, would appear to be sufficient. All 

 attempts to develop it without irrigation water must fail. It is one 

 of the poorest soils of any great extent in the area. 



The following table gives the results of mechanical analyses of the 

 soil and subsoil of this type : 



Mechanwftl atialij.^c-^ of Redding loam. 



10970^—12- 



