30 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUEEAU OF SOILS, 1907. 



The soils of the area fall into three natural divisions, viz, the soils 

 of the uplands, of the valley slopes, and of the stream bottoms. 



The soils of the uplands are generally red in color and of moder- 

 ately heavy texture, somewhat gravelly or stony, and underlain by 

 adobe subsoils. Where cla\"-iron hardpans are found the soils are 

 frequently shallow and unproductive, and are derived from ancient 

 valley sediments modified by subsequent weathering, by erosion, and 

 by wind action. The three upland soil types consist of two soils of 

 the Redding series and one nonagricultural type — Rough stony land. 



The surface of the Redding gravelly loam is generally wooded or 

 covered with brush and is of rolling or sloping character, dissected by 

 numerous stream valleys. It is the prevailing soil type of the uplands, 

 and varies greatly in agricultural value and in adaptation to crops. 

 Where the hardpan does not too closely approach the surface and 

 where irrigable, as in the Happy Valley district, it is especially 

 adapted to the production of peaches, grapes, and berries, or to grape 

 culture without irrigation. Peaches are the leading fruit crop of this 

 soil type. 



The Redding loam is similar in general features to the Redding 

 gravelly loam, but is usually of somewhat lighter texture, and the un- 

 derlying hardpan is of more general occurrence and lies nearer the 

 surface. It is a relatively inextensive soil, and owing to its thin 

 character and to the lack of irrigation facilities is usually devoted only 

 to grazing or to dry farming to grains, and is of secondary agricul- 

 tural importance. 



Rough stony land is similar in character of soil material to the soils 

 of the Redding series, but owing to the occurrence of hardpan, its rough 

 topography, stony character, and lack of irrigation facilities, it has 

 no present agricultural importance. 



The soils of the valley slopes consist of two types of the Anderson 

 series and the Bellavista sandy loam. These are formed mainly by 

 wash from adjacent upland slopes and are fairly well adapted to 

 peaches, pears, grapes, and, under irrigation, to alfalfa. 



The Anderson gravelly loam occurs upon the gently sloping higher 

 valley plains adjacent to the soils of the uplands or in narrow valleys 

 of minor intermittent streams. Several productive orchards occur 

 upon this "soil type. 



The Anderson fine sandy loam occurs as small, narrow bodies in the 

 vicinity of Churn and Stillwater creeks. The surface is frequently 

 uneven and often thickly covered with brush and timber. It is an 

 inextensive soil type, but supports a number of small orchards pro- 

 ducing a good quality of peaches, prunes, and pears. 



The Bellavista sandy loam occurs as inextensive bodies only in the 

 northeastern part of the area in the vicinity of Cow Creek, and is 

 usually devoted only to grazing or to dry farming to grain. 



