824 PLANT LIFE OF ALABAMA. 



said to coincide with the belt most favorable to the raising of the 

 peach, as is clearly shown by the success achieved by the growers of 

 this fruit on a large scale in the adjoining parts of Georgia of the 

 same geological formation. 



The drifted loamy sands and pebbles of more recent formations over- 

 lie to a large extent the heavier and stronger calcareous marls and 

 clayey strata of the old Tertiary, Cretaceous, and Paleozoic formations. 

 Their mingling, indicated by a mixed growth of pines and hardwood 

 trees (mostly oaks), gives rise to a combination of conditions most 

 favorable to the production of cotton, with regard both to the quality 

 of the staple and the amount of the yield. The resultant soils consist 

 of deep mellow loams of a warm and generous character, which are of 

 moderate and lasting fertility, more or less porous and hence naturally 

 well drained, and mostly highly ferruginous. Such soils are pec-uliarly 

 well adapted for the production of a cotton plant of a sturdy growth, 

 which being restrained from the too exuberant development of 

 branches and leaves tends to a more prolific yield of the organs of 

 reproduction ; that is, the fruit. They are at the same time more easy of 

 cultivation and less favorable to the rank production of grasses and 

 other weeds, which in wet seasons greatly injure the crop, but which 

 on lands of this character are easier to overcome. Accordingly the 

 uplands in which this combination of soil conditions prevails, compris 

 ing the "larger part of the arable area in the State, offer decided 

 advantages to the grower of its great staple crop over the most fertile 

 alluvial valley lands. 



The forests of deciduous-leaved trees, which cover the uplands in 

 the Tennessee Valley, with their varied growth, chiefly of white oak, 

 Southern red oak, black oak, shagbark and mockernut hickory, tulip tree 

 (poplar), walnut, elm, maple, white ash, chestnut, and linden, indicate 

 calcareous, fertile, and somewhat heavy strong soils. These soils, from 

 a reddish to a brown color, yield fine crops of cotton and corn, tilled 

 ground being devoted to these in about equal proportion. On the lands 

 of this character, prevailing over the larger part of the Tennessee Val- 

 ley and the larger outlying valleys, in the drainage area of the Warrior 

 and Coosa rivers, the cultivation of red clover enters successfully into 

 the system of farming, and north of the Tennessee Eiver the establish- 

 ment of the blue grass pasture becomes possible. Apples and pears of 

 numerous varieties cultivated farther north, as well as the peach, are 

 grown successfully on the hills; and the dark grapes on the flanks of 

 the valleys make a fine table wine. 



