96 RURAL XEW YORK 



other by red to pink colors. The soils of yellow to 

 liglit brown color make up three sei'ios. In two of 

 these the soil formation is relatively thin and ranges 

 from two feet to eight or ten feet in depth. Tliese 

 are the Lordstown and Volusia series. The latter is' 

 distinguished cliiefly by compact hardpan structure 

 in the deep subsoil, resulting in poor drainage. The 

 third series in this sub-group is the Wooster, in 

 wliich the soils have a larger depth, more material 

 foreign to the bed rock of the locality, and a more 

 complex structural and textural character. The red- 

 pink soils are the Culver series in the upper Catskills, 

 the Lackawanna series in northern Delaware County, 

 and parts adjoining, and the Chenango series of high 

 terrace soils all through the western half of the State. 



All of this plateau region originally bore a heavy 

 growth of timber. White pine predominated but 

 there was a heavy admixture of broad-leaved trees 

 that included oak, sugar maple, chestnut, elm and 

 many other species. This section needs much, under- 

 drainage in spite of the prevailing heavy slopes of 

 the land. 



The fertility of the soil is only one factor to be con- 

 sidered in the agricultural development of this plateau 

 region. The topography of the country and the 

 situation of shipping centers and markets are equally 

 important factors that react on the social and agri- 

 cultural development. Much popular discussion has 

 been directed particularly at this region of so-called 

 abandoned farms. It has much less population as a 

 whole and especially in the country districts than it 



