The Washington herald., 1909-08-01

from the report or the SOIL survey or
Colbert County, Ala. by William G.
Smith, J. c. Britton, and c. r. Zap
pons. jr.. on the Bureau OF Soils. and c.
S. WeidrOp. OF the Alabama department
CT agriculture and industries. The FOL
lowing is a summary of the report:
Colbert County lies in the northwest
ern part Of Alabama. and comprises an
area OF about $4,000 acres. or about 600
square miles. The surface features vary
from level to gently rolling In tho vnley
section 70 rough and hilly IN the noun
tain section. The county was organized
IN 1867. Tuscumbia. the county seat, and
Sheffield are the two important towns.
both OF which are provided with good
railway facilities.
Cotton and corn are the chief crops.
Oats are sown for pasture or for hay.
but are seldom thrashod.
Bermuda grass and Japan clover con-
stftute 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. few peaches and
apples are grown. and truck farming Is
engaged IN TO some extent TO supply the
local demands.
Farmers Use Dixie PIOv.
The Dixie plow IS stu largely used.
though larger turn plows, two-horse cul-
tivators, and other improved machinery
are coming into use. Terraching, con-
tour ditching, and level ridge rows for
hilly lands are common practices.
Farm land has increased In value con-
siderably during the past decade The
valley lands now range from SO 70 SIS
an acre, and the mountain lands from
81 to s. or more. according to stand Of
timber. and the bottom lands from SIS 20
So an acre.
Fifteen soil types occur IN the coun-
". Nine Of these are limestone soils and
one of mixed origin in the valley section.
Four soils occur In the mountain section.
two derived from sandstone and two
from unconsOlidated deposits. One soil
occupies the river and stream bottoms
IN both sections Of the valley
'-The Decatur silt loan Is the most ex-
tensive soil Of the valley section. Il Is
held In large tracts. but most of Il is
farmed, being leased 10 tenants in twenty
TO 100 acre plots. 1t IS naturally a strong
soil. Cotton and corn are the chief
crops. though IL IS also adapted 10 small
grain, cowpeas, clover, Bermuda grass
and alfalfa
The Abernathy silt loam, limited in
extent. occupies basin-lile and elongated
depressiOns. rhe surface IS fat and
poorly drained. When drained It Is an
excellent soil for corn and forage crops
The type is naturally a strong soil. and
much of It is In cultivation.
The Clarksville loan is an important
valley soil. Most OF 1t Is in cultivation
Cotton and corn are the crops usually
fe al 90
grain and to grasses and other forage
crops.
THE Colbert fine sandy loan is limit
ed IN extent, but Is an important valley
type 1t has a gently rolling surface, IS
easily cultivated and IS adapted 20
wide range Of crops.
ClarIksviIle LOam on Bluffs.
The Clarksville stony loan occurs
along the bluffs OF the Tennessee River,
and its surface varies from gently rolling
20 very hnly. The more level and less
stony portions Of the type produce good
yields OF cotton, corn. grain, grass. and
forage crops The stOnier areas are
foregted and AFFORD some pasturage
''The leighton loan IS type OF limited
extent. It's surface features vary from
level or depressed 70 gently rolling. II is
practically all cleared and IN cultivation
10 cotton. corn, small grain. grass. and
forage crops. It IS also used TO some
extent for trucking.
The Guthrie silt loan occurs in small
areas IN the northeastern part OF the val
ley section. II IS poorly drained, and the
water often stands upon the surface
during the wet season. Drainage is
necessary before the soil can be cult
waited
"The Colbert silt loan. quite an exten-
slve type. occurs along the southern
limit of the valley section. Its surface
is gently rolling. About half OF the type
is in cultivation. the remainder being
still In native forest. The staple crops.
Including truck crops. are grUwn. but as
rule low yields are secured.
King Clay Is Limited.
The King clay loan Is Of limited ex-
tent II occurs as small areas somewhat
depressed and lower than the surrounding
types. Its surface IS fat or slightly roll
ing, and the drainage Is very poor. In
its present condition it is not we'll suited
10 farming. II should be kept In forest
and used as a range for liVe stock.
The King clay is a type of limited ex-
tent occurring IN small areas near the
base OF the foothills Of the mountain sec
tion. 1t is locally known as black clay
OF black lime land. its surface varies
from level to rolling. Only a small part
OF the type Is In cultivation. II is an
excellent soil Tor corn and alfalfa. and
grasses and other forage crops produce
we'll
THE DeKalb silt loan occupies the
tops OF ridges. small plateau-lilte areas.
and some Of the slopes I'm the mountain
section. It IS OF sandstone origin and not
naturally productive. Only a small per
centage Is In cultivation. It is mostly I'm
forest Cotton and corn are grown with
only moderate success. Small grain.
truck, grass, and other forage crops NAV
also be grown. From its location the
type should be fairly adapted 10 peaches
and apples.
De Kalb Loan IN Extensive.
''The De Kalb stony loam IS an extern
sive type in the mountain section. Prac-
tcally none Of II is under cultivation. II
IS best adapted to forestry livestock
range. and IN places to crcharding.
''The Glenn loan occurs IN small areas
IN the mountain section It's surface
varies from level 20 quite rolling. II Is
derived from the Tuscaloosa formation.
and is not naturally productive. Only a
small percentage OF it Is IN cultivation,
mainly 20 cotton and corn. X IS probably
fair type for tree fruits
THE Glenn gravelly loan Is an exten-
slve type In the mountain section It's
surface is very rough and broken, con
sisting Of narrow ridges. knobs. and steep
slopes, The tyre Is derived from tho
Tuscaloosa formation. only small areas
are In cultivation. II Is best suited to
forestry and as a range for live stock.
The better areas could be used for fruit.
The Huntington loan is the bottom
land type IN all parts Of The county.