SOIL SURVEY OF THE OCALA AREA, FLORIDA. 22J 
lying rock is found at the surface or above a depth of 4 or 5 feet. 
In the subsoil, especially in the lower part, occur limestone frag¬ 
ments some of which have weathered to an advanced stage. Frag¬ 
ments of the same kind are also found scattered over the surface in 
spots. In places the subsoil has a decidedly brownish color. There 
is also a variation showing mottled brown and yellow and some 
bluish drab, the latter approaching that of the closely related Fellow¬ 
ship type, into which it grades. A characteristic of this type is the 
irregularity in shape and size of the soil grains. While it is com¬ 
posed largely of sand particles of medium grade, there are enough 
of the larger grades, with irregular or angular shape> to give a 
coarse feel to the soil as a whole. 
The Gainesville sandy loam is of comparatively small extent. Its 
largest development is on the high hammock lands immediately 
south of Ocala. Except in the case of the area at Coleman and a 
few others, it occupies the “high hammock lands.” These are ir¬ 
regular-shaped ridges or elevated sections marked by large depres¬ 
sions and sink holes, which have no surface outlets. I11 part they are 
distinct ridges. The highest elevations range from 100 to 150 feet 
above sea level. The slopes are smooth and comparatively gentle. 
They erode badly, however, if care is not taken in their cultivation. 
The Gainesville sandy loam has good surface drainage, which is 
effected through the numerous sink holes and larger depressions, so 
that there is no need for artificial drainage. It is fairly retentive 
of moisture, as with its clay subsoil it maintains generally a suffi¬ 
cient supply of moisture to grow and mature all the general farm 
crops. 
The Gainesville sandy loam is, on the high hammocks, largely, if 
not entirely, of residual origin, having been derived from limestone 
of the Vicksburg group and the associated sandy formations. The 
lower areas of the pine-woods phase have a subsoil largely residual 
from limestone, but the soil portion may be to some extent of sedi¬ 
mentary origin. 
The Gainesville sandy loam is one of the better soil types of the 
area and much of it is cleared and under cultivation. It produces 
good yields of all the general farm crops and is devoted to trucking 
as well. It is a warm soil as a rule and crops develop rapidly on it. 
Sea-island cotton used to be grown on this soil type and gave fair 
yields. The shallower and heavier phases are especially well adapted 
to cabbage. Tomatoes and snap beans also yield profitably. Cucum- 
