SOIL SURVEY OF THE REDDING AREA, CALIFORNIA. 



25 



extending to a depth of 6 feet or more. When less than 6 feet in 

 depth it is underlain by river sands and gravels. In some places it 

 becomes somewhat darker in color, resembling the Sacramento silt 

 loam, and the gradual merging of these two soil types renders indefi- 

 nite the exact boundaries between them. The soil is frequently grav- 

 elly, the gravel consisting of either waterworn pebbles or cobbles. 

 Some bodies found along the Sacramento River or its overflow chan- 

 nels are coarse in texture and csirry considerable gravel. 



The subsoil consists of gravels, rounded or flattened by stream 

 activity, sometimes intermingled ^vith. coarse to fine sand. In places 

 where erosion has been heavy this subsoil outcrops at the surface in 

 streaks, and is worthless except for grazing. 



The Sacramento fine sandy loam appears only as small irregular or 

 narrow elongated bodies lying near the stream channels of the Sac- 

 ramento River and a few of its tributaries, and merges into the Sac- 

 ramento silt loam or other adjacent soil types. In extent and in the 

 agriculture of the area it is one of the less important types. It fre- 

 quently supports a considerable timber growth and is often scored by 

 erosion and subject to overflow. It is of recent alluvial origin, the 

 material being transported for considerable distances and deposited 

 by the shifting of streams in time of floods. 



The loose, porous nature of tliis soil allows good drainage where not 

 subject to overflow. The same characteristics render it easy to main- 

 tain in good tilth. It does not retain very much moisture, antl fre- 

 quent cultivation during the dr}" season is of great importance in the 

 successful growing of fruits. Where irrigation is adequate the more 

 elevated bodies of finer texture are well adapted to alfalfa, or to 

 peaches, prunes, or vegetables. Tliis soil is generally used for pas- 

 ture, although fruits and alfalfa are growTi to a limited extent. 



The results of mechanical analyses of the fine earth of the soil and 

 subsoil of the Sacramento fine sandv loam are given in the folloANing 

 table: 



Mechanical analyses of Sacraniento fine sandy loam. 



SACR.VMENTO SILT LOAM. 



The Sacramento silt loam varies in color from a light or somewhat 

 yellomsh-brown to dark-broAMi or nearly drab. It consists typically 

 to 6 feet or more of a friable, moderately porous micaceous loam to 

 silt loam, often gravelly, the gravel consisting of small flattened or 

 well-rounded pebbles. 



