20 BULLETIN 1005, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
This type occupies the highest elevations within the area. It is 
naturally well drained and somewhat porous. The more coherent 
"deep subsoil, however, prevents extreme droughtiness. 
A large part of the Sassafras coarse sandy loam has been cleared, 
and is used for the production of both spring and winter truck crops. 
Sassafras fine sandy loam. — The surface soil of the Sassafras fine 
sandy loam consists of 5 to 8 inches of brown fine sandy loam. The 
upper subsoil, to a depth of about 16 inches, is a reddish-yellow to 
orange fine sandy loam. Below 16 inches the subsoil is a rather 
heavy reddish-brown fine sandy loam or light loam. In some cases 
a bed of orange sand and fine gravel is encountered at 34 to 36 inches 
below the surface. 
The Sassafras fine sandy loam occupies the higher elevations on 
the low ridges or swells occurring in the lower plain. It is also found 
along the margins of the deeper drainage ways. In all positions its 
natural drainage is good. 
The type differs slightly from the occurrences in the Churchland 
area. Both soil and subsoil contain rather more medium and coarse 
sand and less fine sand, while there is also a larger amount of silt in 
the deeper subsoil. The type is possibly slightly more retentive of 
moisture in the Diamond Springs area than in the Churchland area. 
It is used for the growing of both forage and truck crops in the Dia- 
mond Springs area. 
Sassafras loam. — The surface soil of the Sassafras loam is a brown, 
friable loam, 6 inches or more deep, containing in many places some 
fine gravel and coarse sand. From 6 to 36 inches or more the sub- 
soil is a reddish-bro^vn loam, distinctly compact and heavy. 
The Sassafras loam is found on nearly level upland areas adjacent 
to the deeper-cut drainage ways. Drainage is excellent and the type 
is cleared and occupied by truck crops nearly to the limit of its extent. 
Norfolk coarse sandy loam. — The surface soil of the Norfolk coarse 
sandy loam, to a depth of 5 inches, is a yellowish-brown coarse 
sandy loam. A varying amount of fine gravel is found throughout 
the surface soil. From 5 to 16 or 18 inches in depth the subsoil is a 
yeUow coarse sandy loam. This is underlain to a depth of 36 inches 
Or more by a rather heavy, yellow sandy loam. 
The Norfolk coarse sandy loam occurs along the crest of the low 
ridge extending through the center of the area, in close association 
with the Sassafras coarse sandy loam. The surface is only gently 
sloping. Drainage is good to rather excessive. The greater part 
of the type is cleared and under cultivation. 
Norfolk loam. — The surface soil of the Norfolk loam, to a depth of 
4 or 5 inches, is a grayish-bro^vn loam, containing enough very fine 
sand to render it soft and friable. The subsoil, to a depth of 32 
■^nches or more, is a yellow loam sufficiently high in silt and clay to 
