DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF THE SOILS OF VIRGINIA. 7 



possibly soils that should be separated from those having a yellow 

 subsoil. The Conowingo soils are derived from talcose material 

 having a decidedly greasy subsoil and are locally known as "soap- 

 stone lands." The topography is rolling to hilly, although there 

 are occasionally poorly drained flat areas which are locally known as 

 " glades." 



A considerable proportion of the clay member, the only type so 

 far mapped in this series, is fairly well suited to the production of 

 general farm crops, but is better left in forest. The "barrens" 

 phase, which in places is very stony, and the topography of which is 

 hilly to broken, is generally quite unproductive and probably worth- 

 less for agricultural purposes. 



Lansdale series. — The Lansdale series is characterized by the gray, 

 drab, or brownish color of the soils and the gray, slaty to pale- 

 yellowish color of the subsoils. These soils occur in close association 

 with the Penn series, and are derived from metamorphosed Triassic 

 sandstone and shale, prevailingly of a grayish color. The meta- 

 morphism has resulted chiefly from the heat of the intrusive rocks 

 with which the typical Lansdale areas are associated. The topog- 

 raphy ranges from rolling to hilly and the drainage is good. The 

 agricultural value of these soils is somewhat lower than that of the 

 corresponding members of the Penn series. Moderate yields of corn, 

 oats, wheat, Irish potatoes, and hay are secured. 



The silt loam, the only type so far mapped in the State, is only 

 fairly productive. It is best suited to corn, wheat, clover, timothy, 

 small fruits, and vegetables. It is better adapted to wheat than to 

 corn. 



Manor series. — The Manor soils are characterized by their yellow- 

 ish-brown to brown surface color and the yellow to yellowish-red or 

 dull-red color of the subsoils. Both soil and subsoil have a high 

 content of mica, which gives a greasy feel, particularly to the subsoil 

 material. The soils of this series are derived from phyllites, includ- 

 ing mica schist and chlorite schist. Fragments of these rocks are 

 of common occurrence throughout the soil section, some areas being 

 very stony. The members of this series are confined to the Northern 

 Piedmont, where they occupy gently rolling to hilly areas. When 

 properly handled the better-lying areas give good yields of oats, 

 corn, wheat, Irish potatoes, and hay. These soils are locally known 

 as " slate lands," " dark slate lands," and " white slate lands," the 

 last two designations originating from local variations in the color 

 of the surface soils. 



The only type of the Manor series so far encountered in Virginia 

 is a small area of the loam, which is of minor importance and should 

 be used for forestry, chestnut orchards, and grapes. 



