824 PLANT LIFE OF ALABAMA. 
said to coincide with the belt most favorable to the raising of the 
peach, as is clearly shown by the success achieved by the growers of 
this fruit on a large scale in the adjoining parts of Georgia of the 
same geological formation. 
The drifted loamy sauds and pebbles of more recent formations over- 
lie to a large extent the heavier and stronger calcareous marls and 
clayey strata of the old Tertiary, Cretaceous, and Paleozoic formations. 
Their mingling, indicated by a mixed growth of pines and hardwood 
trees (mostly oaks), gives rise to a combination of conditions most 
favorable to the production of cotton, with regard both to the quality 
of the staple and the ainount of the yield. The resultant soils consist 
of deep mellow loams of a warm and generous character, which are of 
moderate and lasting fertility, more or Jess porous and hence naturally 
well drained, and mostly highly ferruginous. Such soils are peculiarly 
well adapted for the production of a cotton plant of a sturdy growth, 
which being restrained from the too exuberant development of 
branches and leaves tends to a more prolific yield of the organs of 
reproduction; that is, the fiuit. They are at the same time more easy of 
cultivation and less favorable to the rank production of grasses and 
other weeds, which in wet seasons greatly injure the crop, but which 
on lands of this character aie easier to overcome. Accordingly the 
uplands in which this combination of soil conditions prevails, compris 
ing the larger part of the arable area in the State, offer decided 
advantages to the grower of its great staple crop over the most fertile 
alluvial valley lands. 
The forests of deciduous-leaved trees, which cover the uplands in 
the Tennessee Valley, with their varied growth, chiefly of white oak, 
Southern red oak, black oak, shagbark and mockernut hickory, tulip tree 
(poplar), walnut, elm, maple, white ash, chestnut, and linden, indicate 
calcareous, fertile, and somewhat heavy strong soils. These soils, from 
a reddish to a brown color, yield fine crops of cotton and corn, tilled 
ground being devoted to these in about equal proportion. On the lands 
of this character, prevailing over the larger part of the Tennessee Val- 
ley and the larger outlying valleys, in the drainage area of the Warrior 
and Coosa rivers, the cultivation of red clover enters successfully into 
the system of farming, and north of the Tennessee River tle establish- 
ment of the blue grass pasture becomes possible. Apples and pears of 
numerous varieties cultivated farther north, as well as the peach, are 
grown successfully on the hills; and the dark grapes on the flanks of 
‘he valleys make a fine table wine. 
