DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF THE SOILS OF VIRGINIA. 7 
possibly soils that should be separated from those having a yellow 
subsoil. The Conowingo soils are derived from talcose material 
having a decidedly greasy subsoil and are locally known as "soap- 
stone lands." The topography is rolling to hilly, although there 
are occasionally poorly drained flat areas which are locally known as 
" glades." 
A considerable proportion of the clay member, the only type so 
far mapped in this series, is fairly well suited to the production of 
general farm crops, but is better left in forest. The "barrens" 
phase, which in places is very stony, and the topography of which is 
hilly to broken, is generally quite unproductive and probably worth- 
less for agricultural purposes. 
Lansdale series. — The Lansdale series is characterized by the gray, 
drab, or brownish color of the soils and the gray, slaty to pale- 
yellowish color of the subsoils. These soils occur in close association 
with the Penn series, and are derived from metamorphosed Triassic 
sandstone and shale, prevailingly of a grayish color. The meta- 
morphism has resulted chiefly from the heat of the intrusive rocks 
with which the typical Lansdale areas are associated. The topog- 
raphy ranges from rolling to hilly and the drainage is good. The 
agricultural value of these soils is somewhat lower than that of the 
corresponding members of the Penn series. Moderate yields of corn, 
oats, wheat, Irish potatoes, and hay are secured. 
The silt loam, the only type so far mapped in the State, is only 
fairly productive. It is best suited to corn, wheat, clover, timothy, 
small fruits, and vegetables. It is better adapted to wheat than to 
corn. 
Manor series. — The Manor soils are characterized by their yellow- 
ish-brown to brown surface color and the yellow to yellowish-red or 
dull-red color of the subsoils. Both soil and subsoil have a high 
content of mica, which gives a greasy feel, particularly to the subsoil 
material. The soils of this series are derived from phyllites, includ- 
ing mica schist and chlorite schist. Fragments of these rocks are 
of common occurrence throughout the soil section, some areas being 
very stony. The members of this series are confined to the Northern 
Piedmont, where they occupy gently rolling to hilly areas. When 
properly handled the better-lying areas give good yields of oats, 
corn, wheat, Irish potatoes, and hay. These soils are locally known 
as " slate lands," " dark slate lands," and " white slate lands," the 
last two designations originating from local variations in the color 
of the surface soils. 
The only type of the Manor series so far encountered in Virginia 
is a small area of the loam, which is of minor importance and should 
be used for forestry, chestnut orchards, and grapes. 
