The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-12

dulatlng country. It is very productive soil when properly managed. Drainage in places is inadequate, while the organic content is generally low. This land ranges in value from s2O to $7O per acre. l The Decatur clay loam ranks next in | importance It is locally known as the l red lands,' and occupies gently rolling to rolling areas. It has good drainage, but in places Is subject to erosion. The soil is generally in need of lime and or ganic matter With proper management | this soil is well suited to general farm ing. It is valued at $50 to s10e per acre. The Decatur silt ,oam is much less ex- tensive than the clay loam. It has a gently rolling or billowy topography. The type produces more uniform yields than the Decatur slty clay loam or clay loam, but like the clay loam it is deficient in lime and organic matter It has a value of $20 to $70 per acre.
 The Decatur silty clay loam is limited to a few small level or depressed areas within the Decatur clay loam and as- sociated types With artificial drainage it is g good soil for the production of corn, small grains, grass and legumin- ous forage crops It is valued at $40 to $1O0 an acre.
 The Hagerstown silt loam is an impor- tant type, although inextensve. It oc- CUTS in flat and level or depressed areas in the uplands and the lower valleys of the Elk river drainage system. This is a good soil for the production of general farm crops. It is valued at $2O to $60 an acre.
 The Hagerstown gravelly loam is gen. erally restricted to the lower slopes along the Elk river and tributary streams. It is considered good soil for grass grain and forage. The steep phase of this type cannot be handled as economically as more nearly level types, as modern farm machinery cannot be used so generally. This land is valued at $30 to $50 an acre.
 The Clarksville gravelly loam has 8 much more limited distribution than the Hagerstown gravelly loam. and is con sidered less productive. It is mot used for cultivated crops and seems best suited to fruit. pasturage and forestry.
 The Guthrie silt loam is inextensive. It occupies the flat bottoms of saucerlike depressions within areas of the Clarksville soils and associated types. It is generally poorly drained and is not cultivated.
 The Colbert silt loam is restricted to small areas, flat to nearly level, the drainage of which is usually poor. With the establishment of good drainage this is a good soil for corn, cotton, grass and small grains
 ELK SILT LOAM
 The Elk silt loam is one of the most inn portant bottom types of the county. It occupies second terraces of the larger streams and is rarely inundated. The soil is easily and economically cultivated, as improved farm machinery can be util- ized. It can be developed to a high state of productiveness. This type is valued at $50 to s70 an acre.
 The Cumberland silt loam is restricted to few small areas. It occupies a posi- tion similar to that of the Elk silt loam, and in agricultural value Is comparable with the Hagerstown silt loam.
 The Abernathy silty clay loam has only a small total area. It is confined to the first bottoms of streams or upland sinks The stream bottom areas are subject to frequent overflow. That type is rarely used for crops other than corn, which produces good yields.
 The Huntington clay is restricted to the first bottoms. It has no agricultural value, on account of poor drainage.
 The Huntington silt loam is the most extensive bottom soil in the county It occupies low river and stream terraces and Is subject to frequent overflow Where cultivated it is devoted mainly to corn, which gives good yields without the use of fertilizers. This land is val ued at $40 to $1OO an acre.
 The Huntington silty clay loam oc- cupies the first or overflow bottoms of the Tennessee river. This soil is inter- mediate between the silt loam and clay of this series. Drainage is not well es- tablished. and but little of the type is under cultivation
 The Holly silt loam has very limited distribution in this county, and occurs in the first bottoms of the upland streams and on the lower river terraces. The sur face is usually flat, and drainage Is not well established. This type has little or no agricultural value.