SOILS OF EASTERN VTRGTNIA. 21 
make it compact and stifT. In some cases compaction amounts almost 
to a '4iar(lpan" condition. The deeper subsoil in places is a pale 
yellow coarse sandy loam. 
The larger areas of the Norfolk loam lie in the lower plain where the 
surface is nearly level. In such locations drainage is not completely 
established and the deeper subsoil is frequently found to be saturated. 
The areas of greatest extent at the higher levels are fairly well drained 
under natural conditions, but can be improved by the installation of 
tile. Some small areas, not typical, occur in the slight depressions 
of the higher plain. These possess no natural outlet for drainage and 
the deep subsoil is inclined to be wet. 
A part of this type has been cleared and used for the production 
of both forage and truck crops. By far the larger part, including 
large areas in the lower plain, are uncleared or partly overgrown with 
second-growth (see PL IV, fig. 2) oak and pine. The type is not 
highly esteemed for truck-crop production, but may be so used if 
underdrainage is installed, as has been shown upon the grounds of 
the Virginia Truck Experiment Station. 
Norfolk silt loam. — The surface soil of the Norfolk silt loam consists 
of 10 or 12 inches of yellowish-brown silt loam. The subsoil, to 
36 inches or more in depth, is a stiff, compact, pale-yellow silt loam. 
The type is developed only in one small, depressed area upon the 
Experiment Station Farm and probably represents an accumulation 
of fine material washed in from the surrounding area of Norfolk loam. 
So far as is known this soil does not occur extensively within the 
general region. 
Norfolk gravelly loam. — To a depth of 5 or 6 inches the surface 
soil of the Norfolk gravelly loam is a gray lo yellowish-brown, gravelly 
sandy loam. The fine gravel and coarse sand are decidedly apparent, 
but there is enough fine-grained material present to cause the surface 
to clod and bake after rains. The subsoil, from 5 to 16 inches in 
depth, is a coarse-grained gravelly sandy loam. From 16 to 36 inches 
or more the deep subsoil is a sticky, yellow gravelly loam. This 
deep subsoil is frequently compacted and mortarlike. 
The surface of the type is nearly level to slightly sloping. The 
natural drainage conditions are only fair or, over some areas, decidedly 
defective. A considerable part of this soil remains in forest and the 
remainder is farmed with a variety of truck and market garden crops. 
The settlement of colored farmers near Burton is partly located on 
this soil. 
Norfolk gravelly sandy loam. — The surface soil of the Norfolk 
gravelly sandy loam is a gray to yellow coarse sandy loam, 6 or 8 
inches deep. A large amount of fine gravel is usually present. The 
subsoil is a coarse, loamy yellow sand. It is usually underlain by a 
heavier yellow sandy loam. 
