SOILS OF EASTERN VIRGINIA. 7 
and decaying organic matter are extensively developed in and around 
the margins of the Dismal Swamp. In the latter area there are 
extensive areas which consist of peat or of living moss bogs. 
Since there is a rather wide divergence in the degree to which 
different areas have been drained and subjected to weathering of 
the surface materials, there is quite a divergence in the soil series or 
groups within the region. Added to this is a marked diversity of 
soil textures. From these two facts it becomes possible to distinguish 
different soil series and divide them into several soil types. 
Sassafras series. — The surface soils of the Sassafras series are 
distinguished by their brownish color and usually rather friable 
structure. The subsoils are reddish yellow to brownish red in color, 
friable to compact in structure, and typically rest at some depth on 
beds of coarse sand and gravel or of fine gravel. Their drainage is 
excellent. Although of rather small extent in the Norfolk district 
they constitute soils sought after for truck-crop production. The 
Sassafras coarse sandy loam, fine sandy loam, and small areas of the 
loam occur within the district, usuall}^ along ridges or near the 
major drainage ways. 
Norfolk series. — The soils of the Norfolk series are gray to yellowish 
gray in color and usually friable in structure. The subsoil is pale 
yellow and normally somewhat more compact than the surface soil. 
At a depth ranging from 5 or 6 inches to 24 or 30 inches there is usually 
present a rather compact sandy clay subsoil which is decidedly 
retentive of moisture. Drainage is normally fair to good. This 
series is the dominant one in the Norfolk trucking district. It is 
represented by the gravelly sandy loam, gravelly loam, fine sand, 
coarse sandy loam, fine sandy loam, loam, and silt loam. 
Key port series. — The Keyport series includes soils similar in origin 
to those of the Norfolk series, but not quite so well drained under 
natural conditions. The surface soils are grayish brown in color and 
the subsoils mottled gray and yellow with some reddish-brown 
stains. The deep subsoil is frequently mottled gray and yellow. It 
is sometimes water soaked and in most places somewhat plastic. 
The Keyport fine sandy loam is the only type of this series encoun- 
tered in the Norfolk area within the trucking district. 
Suffolk series. — The surface soils of the Suffolk series are gray or 
grayish brown in color and rather compact under tillage conditions. 
The subsoils are pale gray and frequently saturated at a depth vary- 
ing from 5 inches to 2 feet. They occupy broad, level tracts, away 
from the principal streams or are found in depressed areas, associated 
with other soils. Drainage is naturally defective, but can be im- 
proved sufficiently for the production of some crops by the use of 
open ditches. The Suffolk fine sandy loam, loam, and gravelly loam 
occur in the district. 
