SOIL SURVEY OF THE RED BLUFF AREA, CALIFORNIA. 



25 



bodies of small extent occurring south of Red Bluff are partially 

 cleared and developed. Grain, giving nominal yields, is the principal 

 product. The type is as well adapted to dry farming methods as any 

 other of the distinctly upland types, but insufficient and ])oorly dis- 

 tributed rainfall hinders its development. Irrigation will render a 

 variety of crops profitable. Berries and peaches will predominate, as 

 on this tj^pe in the HapjDy Valley section of the Redding area. It 

 will not be found so well adapted to alfalfa. When irrigated it will 

 be farmed where the topography permits. Exception is made of those 

 limited shallow areas where the underlying impervious material too 

 closely approaches the surface. It is a much better soil than the 

 Redding loam, the latter type lacking the depth of soil and subsoil 

 .and at the same time being more poorly drained. 



The following table gives the results of mechanical analyses of the 

 soil and subsoil of this type: 



Mechanical analyses of Redding ijraveUy sandy loam. 



COKNING LOAM. 



The Corning loam, as typically developed, consists of a reddish 

 loam of slightly sticky character, extending to a depth varying from 

 16 to 30 inches. It is slightly gravelly at times, the coarse sand and 

 gravelly material corresponding to that found in the gravelly loam 

 of the same series. A slightly compact structure prevails and a 

 mild tendency to clod and puddle is noted. A good condition of 

 tilth can be secured, however, with careful handling when proper 

 moisture content exists. At an average depth of about 24 inches the 

 soil is underlain by a heavy cla}^ loam or clay, always very compact, 

 and showing adobe characters upon exposure. Its dense structure 

 is relieved at times by the presence of small quantities of sand, but 

 not sufficient to make it friable. It may extend to a depth of 6 

 feet. Over the greater part of the type, however, this refractory 

 subsoil grades sharply at varying depths into a rather compactly 

 cemented mass of clay, sand, and small gravel. This material seems 

 to correspond quite closely with those masses underlying the soils of 

 the Redding series below the hardpan. The Corning loam does not 

 have a true hardpan, but plant roots are practically limited in all 

 cases to the surface loam and heavy subsoil, as the partially cemented 



