CLAYS OF TUSCALOOSA FORMATION. 53 
miles. The clay is very plastic and free from sand and is similar in appearance when raw 
and also when burned to that on Mr. Paden's land. 
The clays of the lower Tuscaloosa are not always so white and free from impurities as those 
above mentioned, but throughout the State highly plastic days arc frequently present 
where the Lafayette has been removed from the surface of the lower portion of the Tusca- 
loosa. The above-mentioned clays, though of exceptional purity and of high economic 
value, are as } T et undeveloped. Farther south, in the lower Tuscaloosa area in Itawamba 
County, there is less of the white clay, but a large amount of very plast ic gray and often pink 
clays. Many of these clays are dark colored, containing more or less organic matter, but 
when burned they become cream to pink-buff in color. Their high degree of plasticity 
renders them valuable for making stoneware. 
Reedsville clay. — This clay outcrops along the headwaters of Reeds Creek about 6 miles 
south of Fulton, Itawamba County. There is more or less Lafayette and Tuscaloosa sand 
on the hills, which are often steep and wooded. The clay occurs near the base of the hills 
underneath a seam of lignite about 18 inches thick. The following section shows the rela- 
tion of the clay to the other strata : 
Section on Reeds Creek 6 miles south of Fulton. 
Ft. In. 
5. Lafayette sands and pebbles 5-20 
4. Tuscaloosa sands, very coarse, alternating with thin strata of clay and containing small 
fragments of woody lignite 60-80 
3. Ferruginous sandstone, hard as flint 1-3 
2. Black, pure lignite, containing small amount of iron pyrites 18 
1. Plastic gray clay, with more or less lignitic material through it 10 
Bottom of branch. 
The lignite horizon is fairly constant throughout this locality. It gives rise to bold 
springs in many of the valleys. The clay was formerly used for making jug ware, but the 
plant has been discontinued. The ware burns to a color varying from rich cream to pale 
yellow. 
Bull Mountain Creek and many of its small tributaries, in southeastern Itawamba County, 
have carried away much of the Lafayette and exposed in numerous places the underlying 
Tuscaloosa clays. There are three stoneware factories within a radius of 6 miles on the 
east side of Bull Mountain Creek. 
Davidson clay. — This clay outcrops in the road near Jim Davidson's house, in sec. 29, T. 
10 S., R. 10 E. It occurs in a horizontal stratum 4 feet thick, overlain by Lafayette sand. 
Numerous leaf impressions are reported from this clay. Between the clay pit and the house 
is a ledge of soft sandstone at a lower elevation than the clay stratum. Immediately below 
the sandstone is another stratum of siliceous clay but a few inches thick. The former clay 
is used at the Davidson pottery for making stoneware. It burns to a cream-buff: color. 
Sumerford clay. —On the farm of W. A. Sumerford, in the SW. \, sec, 11, T. 11 S., R. 10 E., 
the Lafayette has, in places, been entirety removed, leaving a bluish to pink clay at the surface. 
In the road at Mr. Sumerford 's house the clay is exposed for 100 yards. It is horizontally 
bedded, but its thickness has not been ascertained. This clay is used- by Mr. Sumerford for 
making stoneware, in which process it is necessary to mix the plastic clay which occurs but 
a foot or two below the surface with the more sandy surface clay. The color, when burned, 
is very similar to that of the Davidson clay. The analyses of the two clays are given below 
for comparison: 
