26 FIELD OPERATIONS OK THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1910. 



masses above mentioned are impenetrable. A sandy phase, which 

 differs somewhat from the typical soil material, also occurs. 



The Corning loam is found in many medium-sized bodies of 

 rather general distribution in the upland plains h'ing west of the 

 river. The type occupies elevations intermediate between the more 

 elevated Redding series and the slightly lower Tehama and May wood 

 series. The boundaries of its l)0(lies are rather indistinct at times, 

 gradation zones occurring between it and the other series. Its sur- 

 face is gently rolling to level, with occasional small cuts or washes 

 and a few local depressions. A slight tendency to form hog- 

 wallows sometimes exists. The ridges, hills, and steep slopes so gen- 

 eral in the Corning gi\avelly loam do not appear in this type. The 

 elevation and slope provide ample surface drainage, except in small. 

 depressed areas. Subsoil conditions frequently make percolation 

 slow, but in general the type may be called well drained. It is natu- 

 rally barren, an occasional scattered growth of upland oak being its 

 only tree growth. 



The Corning loam is derived from the Red Bluif formation. In 

 some instances it no doubt occurs as anciently redeposited porticms of 

 that old Pleistocene allu\dum. At other times its bodies are rem- 

 nants of the original formation, the result of an irregular erosion and 

 reworking. It is an upland type and subject to erosion. 



The type is not extensively cultivated. A few small areas are dry 

 farmed to grain, but the yields are light. It is rather poorly adapted 

 to dry farming and attempts to produce fruit without irrigation have 

 met with practical failure. It does not possess a subsoil of good 

 water-liolding power and nnist await irrigation for development in 

 all agricultural lines except grain fanning. At one time the Corning 

 loam was much more extensively farmed to grain than at this time, 

 but is is doubtful whether its present cultivated area will be increased 

 along any line until water is supplied. I^nderground water for 

 irrigation is noc available, except possibly at points where the bodies 

 of lower elevation a])proach the river. Even here the great expense 

 of securing water may be prohibitive. The type could be irrigated 

 under an extensive gravity system. With water it will be found 

 adapted to peaches, almonds, berries, figs, grapes, and a variety of 

 crops which do not require a deep, friable soil and subsoil. Alfalfa, 

 prunes, and some of the truck crops will not be found as suitable 

 crops as those mentioned above. The tyj^e, if intelligently handled 

 and devoted to the proper crops, will warrant a moderate land valua- 

 tion and the cost of irrigation. 



Corri'niff loam, smuJy phane. — The sandy phase of the Corning loam 

 consists of a reddish-gray heavy sandy loam or light loam of rather 

 variable texture. It usually carries small quantities of waterworn 

 gravel, and over <ni;iil areas coarse sand gives it a more friable 



