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. 4. — Relative area of Appalachian 
soils. 
