20 BULLETIN 1005, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



This type occupies the highest elevations within the area. It is 

 naturally well drained and somewhat porous. The more coherent 

 deep subsoil, however, prevents extreme droughtiness. 



A large part of the Sassafras coarse sandy loam has been cleared, 

 and is used for the production of both spring and winter truck crops. 



Sassafras fine sandy loam. — The surface soil of the Sassafras fine 

 sandy loam consists of 5 to 8 inches of brown fine sandy loam. The 

 upper subsoil, to a depth of about 16 inches, is a reddish-yellow to 

 orange fine sandy loam. Below 16 inches the subsoil is a rather 

 heavy reddish-brown fine sandy loam or light loam. In some cases 

 a bed of orange sand and fine gravel is encountered at 34 to 36 inches 

 below the surface. 



The Sassafras fine sandy loam occupies the higher elevations on 

 the low ridges or swells occurring in the lower plain. It is also found 

 . along the margins of the deeper drainage ways. In all positions its 

 natural drainage is good. 



The type differs slightly from the occurrences in the Churchland 

 area. Both soil and subsoil contain rather more medium and coarse 

 sand and less fine sand, while there is also a larger amount of silt in 

 the deeper subsoil. The type is possibly slightly more retentive of 

 moisture in the Diamond Springs area than in the Churchland area. 

 It is used for the growing of both forage and truck crops in the Dia- 

 mond Springs area. 



Sassafras loam. — The surface soil of the Sassafras loam is a brown, 

 friable loam, 6 inches or more deep, containing in many places some 

 fine gravel and coarse sand. From 6 to 36 inches or more the sub- 

 soil is a reddish-brown loam, distinctly compact and heavy. 



The Sassafras loam is found on nearly level upland areas adjacent 

 to the deeper-cut drainage ways. Drainage is excellent and the type 

 is cleared and occupied by truck crops nearly to the limit of its extent. 



Norfolk coarse sandy loam. — The surface soil of the Norfolk coarse 

 sandy loam, to a depth of 5 inches, is a yellowish-brown coarse 

 sandy loam. A varying amount of fine gravel is found throughout 

 the surface soil. From 5 to 16 or 18 inches in depth the subsoil is a 

 yellow coarse sandy loam. This is underlain to a depth of 36 inches 

 or more by a rather heavy, yellow sandy loam. 



The Norfolk coarse sandy loam occurs along the crest of the low 

 ridge extending through the center of the area, in close association 

 with the Sassafras coarse sand}^ loam. The surface is only gently 

 sloping. Drainage is good to rather excessive. The greater part 

 of the type is cleared and under cultivation. 



Norfolk loam. — The surface soil of the Norfolk loam, to a depth of 

 4 or 5 inches, is a grayish-brown loam, containing enough very fine 

 sand to render it soft and friable. The subsoil, to a depth of 32 

 x nches or more, is a yellow loam sufficiently high in silt and clay to 



