BULLETIN 46, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



DESCRIPTION AND USE OF THE SOILS OF THE APPALACHIAN 

 MOUNTAIN AND PLATEAU PROVINCE. 



Dekalb series. — The surface soils of the Dekalb series are gray to 

 brown, while the subsoils are yellow. The soils are derived from 

 the disintegration of sandstone and shales, from Silurian to Carbonif- 

 erous in age. The surface features consist of gently rolling table- 

 lands, hills, and mountains. These soils are generally not very pro- 

 ductive. The stony and sandy members of the series are adapted 

 to orchard fruits, while the heavier soils make good hay and pasture 

 land. 



The stony loam covers about one-half of the total area included in 

 this series. The rough and broken character of the surface and the 

 large quantity of stones render this soil a typical forest type, un- 

 suited for agricultural purposes. It is only upon the more level 

 places after the stones have been removed that corn and wheat can 



be grown, but the yields are too 

 small for profitable farming. Ap- 

 ples and peaches may be grown 

 in local areas. Much of the type 

 should always be" in forest or used 

 for grazing and range. The shale 

 loam ranks next in extent to the 

 stony loam. It is also a forest 

 type. When cultivated it is best 

 adapted to wheat and grass or 

 those crops which can be harvested 

 before dry weather comes or which 

 can withstand the drought. Occa- 

 sionally fair yields of corn can be 

 secured. The silt loam has a com- 

 paratively small representation in the series. The lower-lying areas 

 are best suited to the growing of corn, wheat, and timothy. Much of 

 the type is too hilly and broken for cultivation, but can be used for 

 forestry and pasturage, as it supports a fairly good growth of native 

 grasses. The fine sandy loam occupies a small area and has a low 

 agricultural value. Small yields of wheat and corn are secured. 

 Small fruits and vegetables are best suited to this soil. 



Porters series. — The Porters series includes the residual soils of 

 the Appalachian Mountains derived from igneous and metamorphic 

 rocks. The soils are analogous to those of the Cecil series, but are 

 classed separately, on account of the difference in topographic posi- 

 tion. They occur at high elevations and are therefore influenced 

 more or less by different climatic and drainage conditions. The 

 mountainous character of the country in which the Porters soils are 

 found renders them difficult of cultivation, and they are generally 



Fig. i. — Relative area of Appalachian 

 soils. 



