5io 



SOILS. 



companied as they usually are by the disappearance of the 

 black, white and Spanish oaks, will materially depress the land- 

 values. 



The appearance of well-formed oaks, as well as of hickory, 

 is therefore at once welcomed as an evidence of soil improve- 

 ment, while that of low huckleberry bushes and small black 

 gums indicates the reverse. An increase in the thickness and 

 retentiveness of the soil stratum is also usually indicated by 

 the occurrence of short-leaved pine in the long-leaf-pine areas. 



The black, red, white, and Spanish oaks belong altogether 

 to soils of medium physical constitution, only their size upon 

 such lands depending upon the relative richness in plant- food ; 

 but without such changes producing any notable variation in 

 their form. Clearly then, these species are intolerant of ex- 

 treme physical conditions, and are practically restricted to soils 

 of " loamy " character and easy cultivation. 



