36 



FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1910. 



shallow Avindinir lied of the local waterway or its partially filled 

 older channels. Terraces irenei-ally separate the type from the Red- 

 ding and Corning loams and the Tehama silt loam, but in the case of 

 the latter t^pe gradation zones frequently occur. Its contact with 

 the Maywood silt loam and the Sacramento series is marked by slow 

 transitions. It is at all times excellently drained. 



The ISIaywood fine sandy loam is composed of wash derived irom 

 the Kedding and Tehama .series and transported short distances. Its 

 formation has been slow and irregular, at times the result of a re- 

 working of the Tehama silt loam with additions of fresh material. A 

 few valley oaks sometimes appear on this type, and a rather luxuri- 

 ant growth of wild oats and native grasses cover it in the rainy sea- 

 son. ]\Iost of the type has been farmed to grain for many years and, 

 while yields have decreased, the practice continues. A few dry- 

 farmed orchards are located upon it, but the yields are small. 



Rapid development of this type must await irrigation, for Avhicli 

 it is admiral)ly suited. Practically its entire area is irrigable and 

 suited for alfalfa. i)eaches, prunes, apricots, and other fruits, as well 

 as melons and many truck crops. Water alone is needed to trans- 

 form this type into one of small farms and intensive cultivation. 

 Unfortunatel}-, as with many of the other types, it does not appear 

 to possess subsurface water in quantities sufficient for irrigation. Its 

 development tlierefore depends upon the installation of comprehen- 

 sive gravity .systems. 



The following table gives the average results of mechanical analy- 

 ses of the soil and of a single analysis of the subsoil of this type : 



Mcrhtinicdl (ni<ilijfic.'< of Maywood fine sandy loam. 



M.WWOOI) (iKAVELLY SANUY LOAM. 



The Maywood graM-lly sandy loam consists of a grayish-brown 

 sandy loam of varying character, carrying moderate to excessive 

 quantities of walcrworu gravel and coarse sand. It is sometimes 

 rather leachy and poious in character and usually G feet deep. The 

 (yj)e may be underlain at uncertain depths below 18 inches l)y 

 gravelly beds of coar.se, incoherent structure or by a clay loam 

 ( loscly resembling that of the Maywood loam. This soil is easy to 

 cultivate at all times but occa.sionally puddles slightly during the 

 rainy periods. 



