The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-29
SOIL SURVEY OF
 COLBERT COUNTY Report Is Made By Depart
 ment of Agriculture
FIFTEEN TYPES OF SOIL
Limestone Is Principal Soil in the County With Silt Loam in Valley Section and Other Soils in
 Various Localities.

Washington, June 2S.-(special) )-The bureau of soils, United States department of agriculture, has just issued in ad- vance sheet form the report of the soil ! survey of Colbert county. Alabama. by Messrs. William c. Smith, J. C. Britton | and C. R. Zappone, Jr., of the bureau of soils and C. s. Waldrop of the Ala bama department of agriculture and in dustries. The following is an interesting summary of the report:
 Colbert county lies in the northwestern part of the state and comprises an area of about 3S4000 acres, or about 600 square miles. The surfaces vary from level to gently rolling in the valley section to rough and hilly in the mountain section The county was organized in 1867. Tus- cuinpia, the county seat, and Sheffield are the two important towns of the area These towns are provided with good rail- way facilities.
 "The county is favored with a long growing season and short mild winters, and an abundance of rain, fairly well distributed throughout the year
 Cotton and corn are the chief crops Oats are sown for pasture or for hay, but are seldom thrashed.
 Hay and Grasses.
 Bermuda grass and Japan clover con- stitute the principal hay and pasture grasses. These are supplemented by cow peas and sorghum. Alfalfa, burr clover and Texas bluegrass are also used for hay and pasturage. A few peaches and apples are grown, and truck farming is engaged in to some extent to supply the local demands. It is believed that there are considerable opportunities for de- veloping both the fruit and the truck ing industries. As rule no definite crop rotation is followed.
 Usually the live stock is of rather in- ferior grade, but recently there has been considerable improvement along these lines
 '"phe Dixie blow is still largely used, through larger turn blows, two-horse cuI- tivators, and other improved machinery are coming into use. Terracing, contour ditching, and level ridge rows for hilly lands are common practices
 "The valley farms are largely operated ny lSHdhtS Wule tne mountain 1aTTnS are more often operated by the owners.
 Farm land has increased in value con siderably during the past decade The valley lands now range from $10 to s25 an acre and the mountain lands from $1 to 8 or more, according to stand of timber, and the bottom lands from s15 to s25 an acre.
 Fifteen Soil Types.
 "Fifteen soil types occur in the county Nine of these are limestone soils and one of mixed origin in the valley sec ton. Four soils occur in the mountain section, two derived from sandstone and two from .unconsolidated deposits One soil occupies the river and stream bot toms in both sections of the valley
 "The Decatur silt loam is the most ex- tensive soil of the valley section It is held in large tracts. but most of it is farmed, being leased to tenants in 20 to 100 plots. It is naturally strong soil. Cotton and corn are the chief crops. though it is also adapted to small grain, cow peas, clover, Bermuda grass and alfalfa.
 "The Abernathy silt loam, limited in extent, occupies basin-like and elongated depressons The surface Is flat and poor ly drained. When drained 1t is an ex- cellent soil for corn and forage crops. The type is naturally a strong soil and much of it Is in cultivation.
 "The Clarksville loam is an important valley soil Most of it Is in cultivation Cotton and corn are the crops usually grown. It is also well adapted to small grain and to grasses and other forage crops.
 Colbert Loam.
 'The Colbert fine sandy loam is lim- tied in extent, but is an important valley type. It has a gently rolling surface,