SOIL SURVEY OF THE RED BLUFF AREA, CALIFORNIA. 



45 



ELDKR SILTY CLAY LOAM. 



The soil of the Elder silty clay loam consists of a very smooth- 

 textured clay loam, carrjang a relatively high quantity of silt. It 

 has about the same color as the Elder silt loam, being a dark gray. 

 The soil is comparatively uniform, rich in organic matter, and easily 

 tilled. It is underlain at 24 to 80 inches bj^ a heavy loam of great 

 water-holding power-, a little lighter colored and of more compact 

 structure than the overlying material. In exceptional cases the sub- 

 soil carries considerabh' greater quantities of fine sand, rendering it 

 somewhat more permeable than the typical loam material. Some- 

 times a small quantity of waterworn gravel is present. At varying 

 depths below 6 feet gravel beds are found. 



The Elder silty clay loam, occurs in bodies of medium extent along 

 Thomas and Elder Creeks, the largest area being on the south side of 

 the latter stream. The boundaries between this and other types are 

 rather indistinct. In extent, topogi-aphy, relative elevation, and 

 drainage features it corresj^onds very closely with the Elder silt loam, 

 the two types being intimatelj^ associated soils formed b}' the same 

 agencies but of different-sized particles. 



The Elder silty clay loam is alluvial throughout. Elder and 

 Thomas Creeks contribute to its formation by depositing the finer- 

 textured materials under water conditions slightly different from 

 those surrounding the formation of the silt loam. It is possible that 

 the type is a little older in time of deposition than the rest of the 

 series and has undergone some modification by weathering. 



This soil is utilized in the production of grain, heav}^ yields being 

 the rule. Some small fields of alfalfa are under irrigation. As with 

 the Elder silt loam its great value is not brought out in the produc- 

 tion of grain crops, although they must continue in the absence of 

 irrigation. It is perhaps a little less friable and will be slightly less 

 adapted to very intensive cropping than the silt loam, but is one of 

 the first soils of the area in productiveness. Irrigation is all it needs. 

 This could be supplied in a somewhat unsatisfactory, incomplete way 

 by more extensive pumping from the accessible stream beds. A com- 

 prehensive gravity system is needed for the fullest development of 

 the type. It will be found well adapted to a wide range of crops. 



The following table gives the results of mechanical analyses of the 

 soil and subsoil of this type : 



