DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF THE SOILS OP VIRGINIA. 15 



The clay, the only type so far encountered in Virginia, is not quite 

 as desirable a soil as the Hagerstown clay. It is best adapted to 

 wheat and grass, producing wheat of a superior quality. Large 

 yields of timothy and clover are secured. The soil naturally runs to 

 bluegrass and much of the area is well suited to pasturage. 



Murrill series. — The soils of the Murrill series are brown, with 

 yellowish-brown to reddish subsoils. They occupy undulating to 

 gently sloping areas near the foot of mountains and ridges and are 

 derived from limestone, shale, and sandstone material. The sub- 

 soils usually consist of residual material from limestone modified 

 somewhat by shale in certain areas. The surface soils consist prin- 

 cipally of collu vial material from the adjoining slopes and are com- 

 posed chiefly of sandstone and shale, though some limestone enters 

 into this colluvial wash. The members are less productive than the 

 well-drained associated limestone soils, but are well suited to corn, 

 wheat, oats, grass, and clover. The sandy members produce good 

 yields of vegetables. 



The clay loam, the only type so far mapped m Virginia, is well 

 adapted to wheat, corn, grass, dark manufacturing tobacco, and 

 apples. Large yields of tobacco are secured, the chief use of which 

 is for black plug wrapper or export cigar wrapper, and which sells 

 at a higher price than tobacco grown on other soils in its locality. 



Decatur series. — The soils and subsoils are characteristically of a 

 reddish-brown to deep-red color and are derived mainly from pure 

 limestone, although some areas show traces of chert. These soils are 

 developed as nearly level to gently rolling valley lands and are ad- 

 mirably adapted to corn, small grains, and forage crops. Under 

 proper climatic conditions cotton can also be grown. The clay loam, 

 the only type so far encountered in the State, occurs in a very small 

 area. 



DESCRIPTION AND USE OF THE SOILS OF THE RIYER FLOOD PLAINS 



PROVINCE. 



Wickkam series. — The surface soils are reddish or reddish brown 

 and contain a higher percentage of organic matter than the Norfolk 

 series. They usually overlie reddish, micaceous heavy sandy loam or 

 loam subsoils, which become coarser, looser, and more incoherent at 

 about 30 inches. These soils occupy river terraces in the higher part 

 of the Coastal Plain near the Piedmont Plateau boundarj 7 . They 

 generally have a level or gently undulating surface, are fairly well 

 drained, and have a relatively high agricultural value. 



The loam is well adapted to corn, wheat, oats, and timothy. It is 

 considered more desirable for wheat and oats than the Congaree loam, 

 but, in some localities, not so good for corn. The sandy loam is a fair 

 soil for corn and oats and well adapted to potatoes, truck crops, and 



