DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OE THE SOILS OF 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 colluvial 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 in 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 RIVER FLOOD PLAINS 
PROVINCE. 
Wickham 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 boundary. 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 Avell adapted to potatoes, truck crops, and 
