50 BVLLETIX 1005, V. S. DEPAETMEXT OF AGEICULTUEE. 
Sassafras sandy loam. — The surface soil of the Sassafras sandy 
loam, to a depth rangmg from 8 to 15 inches, is a brown to grayish- 
broT\TL medium sandy loam. The average depth of the surface soil 
in the Onley area is about 8 or 9 inches. It is slightly greater on level 
areas or on gentle slopes and somewhat less on the crests of low ridges. 
In the latter position the color is likely to be a pale yellowish brown 
and the soil in this situation contains a somewhat larger proportion of 
medium to rather coarse sand. Elsewhere the surface soil is some- 
what loam}'. The subsoil from about 9 inche's in depth to 30 inches 
is a sticky reddish-bro\sTi sandy loam, containing a moderate amount 
of medium and fine sand and a rather high percentage of silt, together 
with some clay. It is retentive of moisture and of fertilizers. The 
deep subsoil from 30 inches to several feet in depth consists of an 
orange to reddish-brown loamy sand which sometimes contains a 
considerable quantity of fine gravel. 
This important soil type occupies the higher elevations consisting 
of broad, low ridges, weU-drained tracts of level land, and the partic- 
ularly well-drained banks of streams which have cut below the level 
of the surrounding land. The texture of the soil, the presence of the 
sandy underlying layer, and the favorable location of the type have 
given rise to good natural drainage conditions. The reddish-brown 
to orange color of the subsoil furnishes a good indication that drainage 
has been and is excellent. The weathering of the included iron- 
bearing minerals has proceeded to an advanced stage and the material 
shows good aeration and drainage from the surface to a depth of 
mor^ than 3 feet. 
There are few or no slopes withm the limits of the type which 
would interfere with cultivation, and erosion is not a problem on 
the Sassafras sandy loam either in the Onley area or anywhere within 
the borders of the Eastern Shore of Virginia counties. A slight 
amount of shifting of surface materials under wind action occurs 
over the highest crests of some of the low ridges unless they are well 
protected by vegetation, either growing crops of stalks. The effect 
of such movement is relatively unimportant. 
The Sassafras sandy loam is the best drained, earliest, and warmest 
soil type suited to agricultural uses within the region. It is sought 
as the most desirable arable land, and the greater part of its area 
has been cleared and placed under cultivation. The cliief excep- 
tions consist of small forested areas and farm woodlots reserved 
for domestic use. In the Onley area 76.7 per cent of the Sassafras 
sand loam is occupied for some form of farm use, and only 23.3 
per cent remains in forest. This proportion is about tj^pical of the 
region as a whole. 
Keyport sandy loam. — The surface soil of the Keyport sandy loam, 
to an average depth of 9 inches and ranging in depth to 12 inches, is 
