SOIL SURVEY OF THE RED BLUFF AREA, CALIFORNIA. 



35 



the Maywood loam is to produce dry-farmed fruit profitably it can 

 only be by use of the most careful methods upon its best phases. 

 "IVhile the type is fairly well adapted to dry-farming methods, the 

 long dry summer severely taxes the capacities of the best adapted soils 

 to produce fruit without irrigation. Certain failure faces every care- 

 less or incompetent effort. Figs, almonds, and olives seem to be most 

 resistant to weather conditions upon this type when abandoned. An 

 excellent quality of peaches for both canning and drying is produced 

 upon this soil. Profits must always remain rather meager as long as 

 the type remains unirrigated. 



Some water is available for pumping, but can never be secured in 

 sufficient quantities to irrigate any large part of the type. Such 

 water as has been developed in this way gives good results and abun- 

 dantly proves the high value of the soil under irrigation. It is thor- 

 oughly adapted to irrigation, and a very wide range of crops can be 

 grown upon it whenever water is applied. The entire area occupied 

 by it is irrigable and can be broken up in small farms once water is 

 available. Twenty acres is amply sufficient for an average family 

 when irrigated in the best manner. All the crops suited to the cli- 

 mate are possible, and it is sufficiently productive to justify a high 

 water tax. 



Mechanical nnalj/ses of Mayivood loam. 



MAY WOOD FINE SANDY LOAM. 



The Maywood fine sandy loam consists of a yellowish-gray fine 

 sandy loam, appearing when under cultivation as a rather light-tex- 

 tured loam. It is very friable in structure and usually carries mod- 

 erate quantities of water worn gravel. The type does not puddle or 

 crack and possesses nothing to interfere with a natural good tilth and 

 ease of cultivation. The surface soil grades at from 24 to 30 inches 

 into an indefinite subsoil. This is usually either loam or gravelly 

 loam, but in exceptional cases may be composed of gravel beds or 

 light-textured clay loams. At no place do cemented layers or a true 

 hardpan appear. 



This type occurs in the west-central portion of the area, being en- 

 tirely a west-side type. Its narrow bodies border some of the small 

 stream ways as distinct areas of reworked material or strips of 

 alluvial bottom. The surface is usually level, but marked by the 



