SOILS AND FERTILIZERS 341 



tensively cultivated lands devoted to citrus and deciduous fruits, 

 vines, small fruits, and other special crops. 



Fresno Series. The sand and fine sand of this series, with in- 

 tensive methods of cultivation and irrigation, are used for the pro- 

 duction of peaches, apricots, cherries, prunes, figs, walnuts and 

 raisin and wine grapes. They are also adapted to alfalfa and to 

 vegetables under irrigation. The sandy loam and fine sandy loam 

 are productive soils and excellently adapted to fruits and alfalfa. 



Hanford Series. The soils are usually productive and are 

 specially adapted to fruits, vines, vegetables and truck crops, when 

 well drained free from alkali and irrigated. 



Maricopa Series. The soils are generally of dark color and 

 loose, porous structure. They are generally well drained and free 

 from alkali, and where capable of irrigation are well adapted to 

 fruits, vines, and general farm crops. The gravelly loam and the 

 gravelly sand are well drained and free from alkali, but in many 

 cases can not be irrigated, and are then devoted to grazing or dry- 

 farming to grains or to the production of grapes. Extensive areas 

 are, however, irrigated and used for the production of grains, 

 grapes, citrus fruits, and stone fruits. In the San Gabriel area these 

 types are used extensively for grains and for the production of citrus 

 fruits. In the San Jose area large quantities of early peaches, 

 apricots, prunes, other stone fruits, and grapes are produced. The 

 sand is sometimes broken, hilly or wind-blown in character, but 

 when favorably situated for irrigation is adapted to fruits, vines, 

 and general farm crops. In the Ventura area it' has been found 

 a valuable soil for lima beans. The sandy loam and the fine sandy 

 loam are usually free from alkali and well drained. Under irrigation 

 they are good! soils for alfalfa, grains, citrus fruits, deciduous fruits, 

 small fruits, and truck crops. In the Los Angeles area they are 

 devoted quite extensively to grapes, alfalfa, strawberries, lemons, 

 and winter vegetables. The silt loam and the clay loam are not well 

 drained, and accumulations of alkali occur. The best-drained 

 areas produce alfalfa, wheat, barley, sorghum, and in some locali- 

 ties sugar beets. 



Oxnard Series. These soils are generally of a dark color. 

 They are particularly adapted to the production of lima beans. 

 They are also devoted to the production of walnuts, berries, truck 

 crops and citrus and deciduous fruits. The heavier and slightly 

 alkaline areas are usually best adapted to barley and sugar beets. 



Placentia Series. The soils of this series are derived mainly 

 from granitic rocks, shaly sandstones, and sandstones carrying a 

 large amount of granitic material. They are generally well drained, 

 free from alkali, and frequently of somewhat refractory nature. 

 They are tilled with difficulty, but possess marked moisture-retain- 

 ing properties and include large areas of valuable lands devoted to 

 grains, general farm crops, citrus and deciduous fruits, beans, and 

 other special crops. The sandy loam, fine sandy loam, and loam 

 are productive soils, and when irrigated are extensively devoted to 

 citrus fruits, walnuts, olives, prunes, peaches, apricots, grapes, 



