The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1896-06-18
oRCGoN,s ADOBE LANDS.
They Embrace Three Kinds .-BIarh Sticky,
Blue Sticky and Another Kind.

Blue Sticky and Another Kind.
In different parts of western Ore
gon and especially in localities of the
Rogue river and Umpqua valleys are
localities where so called adobe land
is found, known as black, sticky
soils that are not easy to handle.
One of the traditional spots of early
times was the lane that went
through the donation land claim OF
General Joe Lane in the Umpqua,
where this black, sticky soil rolled
up on the wagon wheels until they
became masses of revolving mud.
When travelling in the Umpqua
during late years I have encountered
this land and realized all that has
been said of it. At times in the
muddy season one comes to a spot
where loaded vain has stopped to
clear off the wheels, and four small
mountains of black mud told the
story. Once when driving with a
friend in Rogue river valley we
found such q spot, and he kindly ex.
planned that there were three kinds
of these sticky soils-viz, ''black
sticky, blue sticky and sticky be
DID,"
While these soils roll up fearful
accounting in the wet season, they
crack open as fearfully in the sum
mer time. 1t is we'll known they
can only be plowed under the most
favorable conditions, and tillage is
work of difficulty at the best. Corn
is said to do we'll, and most grasses
thrive, while alfalfa is good crop.
Oats do moderately we'll, but wheat
will not fill satisfactorily. Professor
Hilgard of the University of Cali
fornia says:
"Sticky soil, or adobe, is usually
very productive in California where
properly cultivated. AS remember
your southern Oregon lands, they
will not be exceptions to the rule ex-
cept perhaps in case of the blue
sticky, which sometimes is not in
trinsically productive enough to
justify expense on a large scale
These soils are originally swamps
and share in the advantages of pond
muck. When underdrained with
tiles, they till kindly and are very
productive. They must be- titled
deeply to prevent cracking open dur
ing dry summer months Strong
teams are required, and intelligent
management as we'll as Judgment as
to time when blowing shall be done.
If plowed too wet, they remain pud-
died for years, while If too dry they
turn up in big c1ods. The moro
vegetable matter you can get into
them the better. Sun1e of thasandy
marls of your coast ranges-used at
the rate of 200 busheEEto tho acre
: would be just the thing to improve
their tillage and make them produce
more freely"
There is occasionally a trace of
these adobe soils in the Willamette,
and it is said some are found on the
college grounds near Corvallis. Pro
lessor G. w. Shaw, at the head OF
the chemistry department of the
agricultural college, also furnishes
very clear statement. He says
there are two kinds of these black,
sticky soils in southern Oregon.
One, due to excess of organic mat
ter, is easily handled by neutralizing
with lime before planting, after
which this is as easily handled as
other soils. These soils are well
supplied with plant food. The 9th
er variety is black adobe, rich in or
ganic matter and plant food, but of
very difficult physical conditions to
handle save to tile drainage. When
so drained, it forms excellent soil for
fruits and all crops. In its present
condition it is not adapted to fruit,
but pears and possibly apples might
be planted on it after it has once
been cultivated. The first cultiva-
ton must be done exactly at the
right time, so needs very close OBJ
servation. Mulching will be bene-
fetal to prevent too rapid evapora-
ton and compacting. Portland Ore
gonian.
!