976_903_A287_MAP_002

Kentucky
Land Use Suitability Map
Agricultural and Industrial Development Board of Kentucky
Soil Conservation Service, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture
Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Kentucky

The use suitability classification used on thismap is generalized interpretation of the soil resources in
terms of the most intensive uses feasible for sustained production. It should be emphasized that the ratings of
the delineated areas refer to the dominant soils and not to all soils included in them. Thus, the map is useful
for purposes involving comparisons among large areas, but it is not detailed enough to use for comparisons
among small areas, such as fields and farms. Detailed maps of individual farms showing the soils and their
land use capability may be obtained through local soil conservation districts.

The map is not intended to show the presentland use but rather the potenial use under a good level
of management, including such soil conservation practives as may required. It should be stressed, also, that
land suitable for cultivation is likewise suitable for less intevsive uses, such as pasture and woodland. For
example, the area around Lexington is shown to be dominantly of soils suited for cultivation, but largely used
for pasture, an excellent use. Furthermore, it should not be inferred from the map that the dominant soils in
all areas shown by the same color, or within any one of these area, are all of the same quality. Although
their use suitability may be the same, their management requirements under this use vary widely.

Supplementary information has been included on the back side of the map to afford the user an
over concept of the land resource and the agricultural economy of the state. To help in visualizing the
nature of the classification, a landscape typical of each class is shown in the four photographs below.

[Picture]
Yellow. Areas Mainly of Soils Sutied for Culti-
vation in Crop Rotations.
Soil Conservation Service

[Picture]
Green. Areas Mainly of Suited for Continuous
Pasture and Pasture with Occasional Cultivation.
Courtesy of Lyle Leonard

[Picture]
Red. Areas Mainly of soils Suited for Continuous
Pasture and Woodland.
Courtesy of Lyle Leonard

[Picture]
Brown. Areas Mainly of Soils Suited for Woodland.
Kentucky Division of Publicity

Origin of Soils
All soils everywhere are the result of five influences, or factors; (1) CLIMATE, (2) LIVING
ORGANISMS, especially native vegetation, (3) PARENT MATERIALS, (4) TOPGRAPHY, and (5)
TIME. The many differences among soils are caused by difference in one or more of these factors.

Kentucky's soils are many and varied. Except for very recent alluvial deposits, practically all of
them have developed under forest cover and essentially the same climate. Thus the distinctions among
them are due chiefly to differences in parent materials, the topography which these materials occupy,
and the length of tie the materials have been exposed to soil forming processes. In Kentucky, most
parent materials have accumulated in place from the weathering of underlying sedimenatry rocks. Other
sources, in the probable order of extent, are loess, alluvial desposits, marine desposits, and glacial drift.

Generally speaking, the best agricultural soils from a given parent material have brownish sur-
faces, and brownish, reddish, or yellowish subsoils. Except for young alluvial soils of the bottomlands,
these best soils occupy gentle to moderate slopes, and are deep to their parent material. These charac-
teristics indicate good natural dainage and soil development. Identical parent material on steep slopes
commonly produces soils that are thin, shallow to their parent rock, and often stony. On flat uplands,
drainage is usually impeded and the soils have grayish surfaces, and compact, grayish or mottled sub-
soils. These wetter soils are usually less productive than their better drained counterparts.

THE PHYSIOGRAPHIC REGIONS

Kentucky has a land surface of 40,109 sq. mi. or 25,669,760 acres.
The overall surface is essentially an eroded plateau that slopes gradually to
the southwest. There are six major physiographic or natural regions that,
according to significant variations, are further subdivided into subregions.
However, on this map in several instance, a number of subregions have
been treated as one area for simplicity.

THE BLUEGRASS REGION. The Bluegrass comprises about one-
fifth of the state, and considering its disinctiveness, is quite large. Louis-
ville, at the Falls of the Ohio, is Kentucky's largest industrial center.
The Inner Bluegrass or central area is about 30 percent of the whole. The
surface is undulating to gently rolling, and with its numerous tree-shaded
pastures is often more park-like than a farmscape. Roughly encircling the
Inner Bluegrass; separating it from the Outer and in distinct contrast to
both, are the Hills of the Bluegrass. The terrain is hilly, with winding
ridges and valleys, and steep slopes that average 25-30 percent. There is
little level land. The Outer Bluegrass resmbles the Inner but is not as
compact nor as consistenly developed. The surface is more rollin and
less uniform.

THE KNOBS REGION. This region is named for its conical and
flat-topped hills called knobs. It is small, about one-tenth of the state,
and forms a narrow crescent encircling the Bluegrass on the east, south
and west. Towards the Bluegrass the terrain is flat to rolling with
scattered knobs and wide valleys while the outer margin is rough.

THE EASTERN MOUNTAINS AND COAL FIELD. Also called
the Cumberland Plateau, this region extends over the entire eastern fourth
of Kentucky. It is the larger of the two coal producing regions of the
state, and production of natural gas is also important. Most of the
region is heavily forested. Ashland in the northeast is an important in-
ductrial center. Three areas, extending the length of the region, are shown.
The Mountain and Creek Bottom Area has a rugged terrain deservedly
called mountianous. Ridges are high and sharp-crested; there is little level
upland, and valleys are narrow. Pine and Cumberland Mountains,
separated by Middlesboro Basin, comprise in the southeast the high-
est and most rugged part of Kentucky. The Plateau Area is the least
rugged of the three. Much of the land is undulating to rolling where
plateau levels still exist. Streams have deeply trenched the Escarpment
Area and created a highy dissected and rugged topography. Valleys are
either steep-sided or clifty; the ridges narrow. There is little level land.

THE PENNYROYAL REGION. This is one of the three largest
regions of Kentucky and comprises almost 30 percent of the state. Much
of the surface is quite uniform, but as a whole is rater diverse. Industry
is developing in several places, and a number of minerals are produred.
Several subregions are recognized, but only three are shown. The
Western Pennyroyal, Sandstone-Shale-Limestone Area, also called the
Mammoth Cave Plateau, encircles the Western Coal Field on the east, south
and west. Much of the terrain is undulating to rolling, but near streams
and sections of underground drainage it is hilly or karsted. Mammoth
Cave Park is in this area that is noted for its caverns. The Limestone Area
of the Western Pennyroyal is the largest, comprising over 40 percent of
the whole. Most of the terrain is undulating, but some small parts are
rolling or even hilly. Subsurface drainage has created limestaone sinks and
karst terrain in much of the area. In many places the terrain resembles
that of the Inner Bluegrass. The Eastern Pennyroyal is an upland, higher
that terrain is rolling, some is undulating; in places it is hilly or karsted,
and near streams may be rough or precipitous. There are wide bottoms
along the Cumberland River.

THE WESTERN COAL FIELD. This is small region, about one-
tenth of the state, and is the smaller of the two coal fields. Production of
petroleum is also important. Industry is thriving, particularly along
the Ohio River. Unlike the Eastern Coal Field, the Western has extensive
bottom lands in the valleys of the Ohio, Green and Tradewater Rivers,
and many of their tributaries. Oterwise the two regions are similar
except that the Western Field is lower and less rugged. Two distinctive
subdivisions are shown. The Interior Low Hills and Bottom Lands Area,
the larger, consists of the wide bottoms and low terraces of the major
streams and tributaries, along with undualating to gently rolling uplands.
The Bordering Hilly Uplands Area consists mostly of the high, rugged,
hilly rim encircling the lower interior on the east, south and west. There
is some rolling terrain and some fairly estensive bottoms.

THE CUMBERLAND-TENNESSEE RIVERS AREA. This is the
smallest region but its extent is indefinite. The topography is hilly and
rough except for the wide bottoms along the two major streams. The
northern two-fifths have more gentle relief. Recreation is becoming an
important economic activity.

THE JACKSON PURCHASE. The Purchase is about equal in size
to the Knobs and the Western Coal Field. In both elevation and relief it
is lower than the other regions of Kentucky, but like most of them, it has
a varied surface and several subregions have been recognized. However,
only three major areas are shown. The Breaks of the Tennessee River
are similar to the Cumberland-Tennessee Rivers Area. The terrain is steeply
rolling to hilly, although somewhat less so. Most of the bottom lands
of the Tennesse River have been inundated by Kentucky Lake. Industry
has begun to develop and recreation is becoming an increasingly important
economic activity. The Central Uplands and Bottom Lands Area is largely
an upland plain which is mostly undulating to gently rolling, but is also
level in places and hilly in others. Rather wide bottom lands border a
number of streams, although some are swampy. Industry is important
particularly in and about Paduach. The Delta Area is part of the Old
South's "Cotton Belt" and is strikingly in contrast to the rest of the
Purchase and of Kentucky. It lies wholly in the wide, neat level bottom
lands of the Mississippi River.

ECONOMICS AND TRENDS OF AGRICULTURE

Kentucky's argriculture varies from subsistence and part-time farming
in the Eastern Mountains, to specialized tobacco and livestock framing in
the central part of the state, "Corn Belt" conditions in the Lower Ohio
River Valley, particularly in the interior of the Western Coal Field; and
tobacco, livestock, small grain, cotton and part-time farming in the
southwest and Jackson Purchase. Tobacco is the most important single
source of income; however, income from livestock exceeds that from crops.

Three-fourths of the total land area of Kentucky is utilized for
agriculture. About one-fourth of the 19.4 million acres in farms is used
for harvested crops. Another fourth is in woodland, and the remainder
in pasture, farmsteads, and other uses. A large proportion of cropland is
in pasture. The averge value of farm land per acre for the state was $81
in 1950, the average size farm is 90 acres.

THE BLUEGRASS REGION. Farming in the Inner Bluegrass is of
the intensive-extensive type, largely tobacco and pasture. Raising of
horses is important, but sheep and beef cattle are increasing in num-
ber. Less land is being used for corn and small grain and more for hay and
pasture. The value of farm land is high and many of the farms are large.
This is one of the best farming areas in the world. In the Hills of the
Bluegrass farm land is the least valuable of the region. Most farms are of
the family type, and tend toward subsistence and part-time farming in
places. Greater emphases is on livestock grazing than on cropping,
although much tobacco is grown. Dairying and poultry production are
increasing. In the Outer Bluegrass dairying is quite important, and the
production of both dairy and beef cattle is increasing. Crop yields are
increasing; more land is being used for hay and pasture, and less for corn
and small grain. Burley tobacco is the leading source of income.

THE KNOBS REGION. Farm land is relatively low in value, and the
proportion of crop and pasture land is also low. General farming pre-
vails, but part-time farming is increasing greatly, and many farms produce
more for home use than for sale. Burley tobacco, dairy and poultry prod-
ucts, some livestock, corn and small grains are sold.

THE EASTERN MOUNTAINS AND COAL FIELD. In the Moun-
tain and Creek Bottom Area farms are small and most are susbsistence, but
part-time and residential farms are increasing in number. More than half
of the farm owners work for wages off the farm. Corn is the most widely
grown crop, but has decreased in importance in recent years. The
amount of crops sold per farm is small. Farming is more important in
the Plateau Area , although farms are also relatively small with little crop
land, and most are owner operated. Tobacco is the chief cash crop, but
dairy and poultry products, and some cattle are sold. Employment off
the farm is important. In the Escarpment Area the value of farm land
is lowest in the state. The very limited farming is mostly subsistence
with fewer part-time farms than in the other areas. The number of farms
and the amount of land used for farming are both decreasing.

THE PENNYROYAL REGION. Although the land is of only fair
value in the Sandston-Shale-Limeston Area, most of it is in farms.
Tobacco, of several types, is the important cash crop. Most farms are
commercial although they are small with little land used for crops.
Cattle, hogs, dairy and poultry products are important. Opportunities
for outside employment are limited. The Limestone Area is one of the
best agricultural areas of the South. Land value is above the state aver-
age, most of the land is in farms, and the farms are relatively large. agri-
culture and associated activities are the chief means of income. Subsistence
and part-time farming are unimportant, and tenancy is decreasing. Mech-
anized farming is well advanced and a variety of crops are grown. In
the Eastern Pennyroyal the value of land is below the state average and
the farms are rather small, but average more then half crop land. There
is some part-time farming; crop tenancy is high but decreasing. Tobacco
is the chief cash crop, but cattle, hogs, dairy and poultry products are
sold. Tobacco, cattle, hay and pasture are increasing in importance.

THE WESTERN COAL FIELD. The central part of this region,
the Interior Low Hills and Bottom Lands Area, is part of the "Corn Belt"
and corn-livestock farming prevails with hogs and beef cattle as import-
ant products. Tobacco, of various types, is also a cash crop in the eastern
part; elsewhere soybeans and corn are major crops, and small grains are
important. Most of the land is in farms and the value of farm land and
the proportion of crop land are high. Most farms are commercial and
highly mechanized. In the Bordering Hilly Uplands farms small with
little crop land, and the value of farm land is about half of the state aver-
age. Most farms are subsistence or part-time types, and tobacco is the
chief cash crop. Some cattle, calves, hogs, dairy and poultry products are
sold, but the volume is small. Farms of all types decreasing in number.

CUMBERLAND-TENNESSEE RIVERS AREA. In this small region
farming varies from small-scale subsistence and part-time in the hilly
portions, to commercial corn-livestock in the bottom lands. Tobacco is
the chief cash crop for the hill farms; livestock for the bottom land farms.
Size of farms varies from small to relatively large. Part-time farming is
increasing rapidly.

THE JACKSON PURCHASE. Farming in the Breaks of the Ten-
nessee River is similar to that in the Cumberland-Tennese Rivers Area,
but largely because the Breaks are accessible, part-time farming is
increasing. Most of the land is in farms, but the amount of crop land
is small. In the Central Uplands and Bottom Lands Area, part-time farm-
ing is increasing rapidly as is the value of farm land, which however, is
still below the state average. Farming is relatively small-scale and most
farms are owner operated. Production is increasing and income from the
sale of livestock exceeds that from crops. Farming is on a large scale in
the Delta Area and the vaue of land is high. Tenancy is higher tha else-
where in the state, and other types of farming are less important. Cotton
and soybeans are the chief crops, but beef cattle, hogs, and dairy products
are important.

THE SOILS OF KENTUCKY

THE BLUEGRASS REGION
Inner Blugrass. Fertile Maury soils, derived from limestones,
are dominant in the central portion. Surface soils are
brown silt loams, and subsoils are reddish-brown silty clays
of good structure and drainage. These soils are high in
phosphate and give no crop response to additional phos-
phate. However, lime and potash are required for the best
growth of most crops. Mercer, Loradale and Hagerstown
soils largely compse the margin and are scattered through-
out the central portion. These soils are not as fertile as the
Maury, usually requiring more lime, and the addition of
phosphate for comparaable yields. The Mercer soils have
mottled, compact lower subsoils high in clay and of poor
structure that retards movement of air and water.
*Cultivated Crops, 80%; Pasture 18%; Trees, 2%.

Hills of the Bluegrass. Eden soils, the principal ones of the
hillsides and narrow ridges, are also the most extensive.
They have been derived from interbedded calcareous shales,
limestones and siltstones. They are high in lime and pot-
ash, and moderately high in phosphate. Most have been
eroded to their lower subsoils or parent materials, but farm-
ing is continued in the eroded soils and soft parent shales.
The Eden soils are yellowish colored, contain much clay,
and are rather droughty. Thin slabs of limestone and silt-
stone are numerous. With proper management Eden soils
produce fairly good pasture except during the usual dry
period of late summer. Wherever acid siltstone is more
abundant than the calcareous shales, the Eden soils are of
medium texture, lower fertility, and erode more easily.

On the broader ridges, the main soils are the Nicholson
derived chiefly from siltston. Surface soils are grayish-
brown, well drained silt loams. The Nicholson soils com-
prise the greater part of the rotation crop land, but lime
and fertilizerare needed for good yields. Fairmount soils
occur toward the bottom of some of the steeper slopes.
These soils, developed on limestones, are dark colored,
stony, high in lime, and are best suited for pasture or trees.
The Culleoka soils, derived from a massive calcareous silt-
stone, are important in Garrard and adjoining counties.
They are brownish, friable, soils of medium texture and
excellent physical condition except for numerous rock
fragments. They also contain less lime and potash than
the Eden soils, and erode less readily.
*Cultivated Crops, 15%; Pasture, 75%; Trees, 10%.

Outer Bluegrass. The dominant soil series are the Shelbyville
and Lowell derived mostly from thin-bedded limestones con-
taining much clay. Surface soils of the Shelbyville are
brown, friable, silty clay loams. They are well drained,
yields of most crops. The Lowell soils resemble the Shelby-
ville in color, but subsoils are thinner and higher in clay
in the lower part. they are also well drained, but occupy

Among the many less extensive soils, are the Crider and
Pembroke slit loams occurring in a fairly wide belt east of
Louisville. They have developed in shallow loess and lime-
stone residuum, are reddish to browish colored, occupy
gently undulating slopes, and are well drained and produc-
tive. Some Cincinnati and associated soils derived from
glacial materials occur chiefly in northern Boone County.
All of these soils require lime and fertilizer for good yields.
Next to the Knobs Region, chiefly in Lincoln, Garrard and
Madison Counties occur the Otway soils derived from marl.
These produce fairly good pasture, but if the shallow sur-
face soil is lost, the exposed marl produces little other tha
Cedar trees. Beasley soils, associated with the Otway, have
been derived from marl and limestone. They have reddish
subsoils overlying the marl, and with careful management,
are suitable for row crops.
*Cultivated Crops, 60%; Pasture, 35%; Trees, 5%.

THE KNOBS REGION
Rockcastle, Colyer, and Westmoreland soils are dominant
on the knob and escarpment slopes. All are thin with fre-
quent outcrops of shale. The Rockcastle and Colyer soils
are of low fertility, but the Westmoreland produce fairly
good pasture where not too steep.

Grayish, infertile soils largely make-up the floors of the
wide valleys neat the outer Bluegrass. Some of these have
been derived from shale residuum and others of materials
washed from the knobs. Many are wet and require drain-
ing; nearly all are acid, except the overflow bottom lands.
Scattered among these are some reddish, well drained soils
of Hagerstown and similar series derived from lime-
stones and well suited to cultivation. In eastern Lewis
County and western Rowan County the parent rocks are
largely sandstones and interbedded shales, and Muskingum
soils are dominant.
*Cultivated Crops, 30%; Pasture, 20%; Trees, 50%.

THE EASTERN MOUNTAINS AND COAL FIELD.
Mountain and Creek Bottom Area. Muskingum soils, derived
from acid sandstones and shales, are the most extensive.
Surface soils are grayish-brown and silty or sandy; sub-
soils are yellowish, of medium texture, and very thin. The
soils are steeps, shallow to rock, and many are stony or
shaly. Farming is confined largely to the Pope and asso-
ciated soils of the narrow bottom lands, and the Jefferson
and Muse soils of adjacent lower footslopes. Generally, all
of these soils need lime and fertilizer for good yields. Many
of the bottom lands need draining, and diversion of seepage
water from adjacent slopes. Many footsloes too steep for
cultivation along with some scattered upland benches and
coves, are suitable for pasture.
*Cultivated Crops, 5%; Pasture, 10%; Trees, 85%.

Plateau Area. Muskingum soils are dominant in the steepest
parts. Most have been derived more from acid shales and
less from sandstones than in the eastern area, and more
are silt loams. Wellston soils are dominant in the more
extensive rolling and undulating parts, chiefly in Laurel,
Whitley, and Knox Counties. These soils are derived from
acid shales and sandstones, and have moderately shallow,
well developed, yellowish-brown to yellowish-red, silty clay
loam subsoils. Associated with them on the more gentle
slopes are the less well darined Tilsit soils. Most of the
Tilsit and many of the Wellston soils are suitable for
of the Wellston, and the less steep ones of the Muskingum
are suitable for pasture.

Much of the bottom land along the smaller streams is
wet. Some of the soil series along the Cumberland River,
such as the Staser, are well drained and productive.
*Cultivated Crops, 15%; Pasture, 25%; Trees, 60%.

Escarpment Area. The steep slopes are occupied by Musk-
ingum soils which are thin and shallow. Towards the bot-
tom of the deeper valleys, Westmoreland soils comprise a
small amount of land suitable for pasture. The latter soils
are darker and more fertile than the Muskingum, and are
derived from interbedded shales, sandstones and limestones.
Narrow bottoms and footslopes, with a few plateau rem-
nants above the escarpment, represent the very limited
portion suitable fro cultivation.
*Cultivated Crops and Pasture, 8%; Trees, 92%.

THE PENNYROYAL REGION.

Western Pennyroyal, Sandstone-Shale-Limeston Area. Westmore-
land soils, with a small amount of Muskingum and Hector
soils, occupy the steeper slopes. Several soil series are im-
portant in the parts suited for agriculture. Some, such as
the Tilsit, are derived from thin loess over sandstone and
shale residuum; Pearman soils resemble the Tilsit, but are
partly derived from limestone. Both of these series have
mottled, fairly tight lower subsoils. Their well drained
counterparts are the Wellston and Christian soils. Poorly
drained soils, chiefly the Johnsburg and Mullins series,
occupy most of the flat uplands. The undulating to gently
rolling uplands are suitable for cultivation with liberal
additions of lime and fertilizer. The level, wet lands need
draining, and are only fairly productive after addition of
lime and fertilizer. Rolling areas suitable for pasture
with careful management.
There is considerable bottom land, and some of the
alluvial soil series, such as the Staser, are well drained and
productive. Others, such as the Prader and Atkins, are
wet and suited only for hay and pasture unless drained.
*Cultivated Crops, 35%; Pasture, 25%; Trees, 40%.

Western Pennyroyal, Limeston Area. Pembroke, Decatur, Crid-
er, and Cookeville soils are dominant in the undulating
portions. All are well drained, moderately fertile soils. Sur-
face soils are brownish silt loams, and subsoils are reddish,
moderately thick, and high in clay, but of good structure.
They are derived from loess and limestone residuum, and
are well suited to cultivation, responding well to lime and
fertilizer. Baxter and Ashburn soils, derived from cherty
limestone, are dominant in the strongly karsted parts and
common elsewhere. These are less fertile soils and more
difficult to cultivate because of abundant chert and more
steep and irregular slopes. Small patches of poorly drained
gray Guthrie soils occur in several places.
*Cultivated Crops, 75%; Pasture, 15%; Trees, 10%.

Eastern Pennyroyal. This area contains a wide variety of soils
differing greatly in their value for agriculture. Westmore-
land soils are the most extensive in the rougher parts, in
association with Rockcastle, Colyer, and Muskingum soils.
All are thin, steep, shaly or stony, and largely nonagricul-
tural. Dickson and Baxter soils, probably the most ex-
tensive agricultural one, are derived chiefly from geodic or
cherty, impure limestones. Dickson surface soils are gray-
ish-brown silt loams or sandy loams, and subsoils yellowish-
brown, of medium texture, compact and mottled, and re-
sistant to the movement of air and water in the lower part.
They are of fair value for general farming with the additon
of lime and fertilizer. Baxter soils, important on rolling
and karsted slopes, are reddish, cherty and well drained.
Some are suitable for cultivation and most are of value for
pasture. Associated Weon soils resemble soils the Baxter, but
are higher in clay and less fertile. Less valuable soils are
the Sango, Lawrence, and Guthrie series which occupy flat
or depressed areas, and are poorly drained.
There are other upland soils sutiable for agriculture,
some more fertile than the Dickson and Baxter, but all of
lesser extent. The Huntington and some associated soils
along the Cumberland River are the most fertile ones.
*Cultivated Crops, 35%; Pasture, 25%; Trees, 40%.

THE WESTERN COAL FIELD.

Interior Low Hills and Bottom Lands. Practically all of the up-
land soils are derived entirely or largely from loess that is
over 40 feet thick near the Ohio River in Union County,
thinning to 3 feet and less along the southeastern margin.
The most extensive soils are the Grenada and Tilsit silt
loams which occupy undulating terrain. Both are rather
well drained with compact, slowly permeable lower sub-
soils. The Grenada soils have developed entirely in loess;
the Tilsit partly from underlying sandstone and shale.
Loring and Manitou soils, similar in origin to the Grenada
and Tilsit respectively, are less extensive, occupy rolling
terrain, and are well drained. All are suitable for cultiva-
tion unless severely eroded or on slopes greater than 12 per-
cent. Manitou and Tilsit soils are of low fertility, the
Loring and Grenada somewhat higher, and all respond to
lime and fertilizer. Well darined Mephis soils occupy the
hilly, deep loess section near the Ohio they are moder-
ately fertile, brown, silty soils of good structure. Most are
too steep for cultivation, but are very good for pasture.

Bottom and low terrace soils are extensive and all differ
greatly. The better drained Huntington, Lindside, and
Morganfield soils are very fertile. In contrast, a large
amount of wet Waverly, Atkins, and similar soils, par-
ticularly in the Green River Valley, badly need draining to
fit them for cultivation. At least half of the lowlands are
between these two extremes.
*Cultivated Crops, 65%; Pasture, 25%; Trees, 10%.

Bordering Hilly Uplands. Soils of this area are derived from
acid siltstones, sandstones, and shales, as a rule thinly
covered with loess except on steep slopes. Shallow
Muskingum soils, chiefly silt loams and fine-sandy loams,
are dominant in the rougher sections. Wellston and
Manitou soils are dominant in the rolling portions, and the
least extensive Tilsit soils occupy undulating terrain.
Tilsit and Manitou soils, along with the Pope and associated
soils of the bottom lands, comprise most of the crop land.
A portion of the Wellston is suitable for cultivation, but
most is better suited for pasture. All soils need lime and
fertilizer for good yields. Some bottom soils, such as the
Atkins series, need draining.
*Cultivated Crops, 25%; Pasture, 30%; Trees, 45%.

THE CUMBERLAND-TENNESSEE RIVERS AREA.

Principal soils are the Brandon, Lax, Mountview and Guin.
All have cherty or gravelly subsoils, or underlying materials,
and are partly derived from shallow loess. Guin soils are
very gravelly and droughty, the Brandon and Mountview
are thicker and well drained, while the Lax soils are moder-
ately well darined with compact, slowly permeable lower
subsoils just above the gravel beds. All are of low fer-
tility and strongly acid.

Most of the upland soils that are suited for cultivation
and pasture are in the northern part of the area where the
loess is thickest, and the slopes less steep. The well drained
Huntington soils of the bottoms along the Cumberland
River are the best agricultural soils. Associated with them
are some less well drained and less productive soils, and
some that are too wet to be cultivated.
*Cultivated Crops, 10%; Pasture, 15%; Trees, 75%.

THE JACKSON PURCHASE.

Breaks of the Tennessee River. The soils of this subregion are
similar to those of the Cumberland-Tennessee Rivers Area.
More of the uplands are suitable for cultivation, but most
of the bottoms have been inundated by Kentucky Lake.
*Close to that of the Cumberland-Tennessee Area.

The Central Uplands and Bottom Lands. Most of the upland
soils are derived from loess that is about 40 feet thick along
the Mississippi River, and thins to about 4 feet near the
Breaks. Sand and gravels underlie the loess and outcrop
on many of the steeper slopes. The Grenada and Loring,
occupying undulatin to rolling terrain, are the most exten-
sive upland soils that are suitable for crops and pasture.
The well drailed Memphis soils are important in the deep
loess along the western margin. Calloway and Henry soils
occur on many of the wetter level uplands, particulary in
Calloway County. All of these soils can be farmed to some
extent, but much of the Loring and Memphis acreage is too
steep for cultivation, and the remainder requires careful
management to prevent excessive erosion. Henry soils give
poor yields of most crops except during favorable years. All
of these soils respond well to lime and fertilizer.

The Collins and Falaya soils are the most extensive ones
of the bottom lands. They are silty, moderately well to
somewhate poorly drained, and give fairly good yields of
corn and hay. Associated with them are the very poorly
drained Waverly soils which are too wet for corn and the
better hay crops.
*Cultivated Crops, 60%; Pasture, 25%; Trees 15%.

The Delta Area. This small area consists entirely of near
level soils derived from river sediments. Most of the area
is protected from overflow by levees. The soils are highly
fertile, and the better drained ones produce excellent crops
without the addition of lime or fertilizer. Some of the
soils are stratified with sandy layers, and others are of
heavy texture. The detialed classification of the Delta soils
in Kentucky has not yet been worked out and correlated
with that to the south.
*Cultivated Crops, 85%; Pasture, 7%; Trees, 8%.
*Estimates of Use Suitability.

CLIMATE OF KENTUCKY AND ITS RELATION TO AGRICULTURE

Kentucky's climate is generally temperate, healthful, stimulating and
well suited to agricultural and other human activities. The climatic
elements of sunlight, heat, moisture, and winds are all in moderation
without prolonged extremes. Rainfall is abundant and fairly regular
throughou the year, usually as short showers. Heavy snowfalls are
rare. The seasons differ markedly, yet warm to cool weather prevails
with extremes of heat and cold occuring only in short spells.

The growing season is fairly long, varing from the 210 or more days
of the Jackson Purschase in the far southwest, to the 180 days and less of
the Eastern Mountains and northernmost areas. The growing season has
been as long as 232 days and as short as 149 days. The last killing frost
of spring averages April 23 in the Mountains and April 9 in the Purcahse.
The first killing frost of autumu is usually by Octover 15 in the Mountains
and October 24 in the Purchase. A map below shows the average number
of days without killing frost for various parts of Kentucky.

The mean annual rainfall or total precipitiation is 38-40 inches along
the upper portion of the Ohio River Valley and increases to 50 inches and
more in the south-central part of the state. This rainfall is fairly well
distributed throughout the year. During the growing season there is
usually enough to sustain crops. Occasionally there is too much, par-
ticularly in the spring months that delays planting and cultivation. Late
summer is normally the driest part of the year, and sometimes drought
is severe although usually local rains prevent completre crop failures.
About half of the annual rainfall occurs druing the warm-season months
of April through September. Snowfall varies from year to year. The
average annual total amount of snow is 10 inches in the extreme southwest
to 20 inches in the northeast; falls are usually only a few inches and the
ground is seldom snow-covered for more than a few days. Thunderstorms
may occur at any time, but are most frequent during March through
September. Occasionally hail accompanies these storms, but the average
is less than once a year. Precipitation during a 24 hour period as heavy
rain is frequently 3 to 4 inches, occasionally 6 inches to as much as 10
inches. A map below shows the distribution of rainfall.

Differences in elevation and terrain among the various regions of the
state have little effect on temperature and the weather in general, but
the geographic position of Kentucky near the center of the continent
allows the mid-winter cold waves from the northwest to be considerably
modified before reaching the state.

Winter is usually relatively open with mid-winter days averaging
32 F. in the northern parts, to 40 F. in the southern, for about six weeks
duratin. Mid-summber days average 74 F. in the cooler uplands, and 79 F.
in the lowlands and southern areas. The average mid-summer daily highs
is 85 F. and the night low 66 F. In mid-winter the daily high averages
42 F. and the night low, 26 F. The highest temperature ever recorded
was 114 F., but a temperature over 100 F. rarely occurs more than once
a year. The lowest temperature ever recorded was -30 F., but a tempera-
ture of 0 F. or lower can be expected no more often than once a year.

Winds from the south and west prevail during most months of the
year, although during the colder months winds from the north may prevail
for short periods. Wind velocity averages 6 to 13 per hour with a
maximum of 40 to 60 mph. during storms. Years may pass without a
single tornado, then several may visit the state, altough the average is
one per year.

Sunshine prevails for an average of at least 52 percent of the year.
The percentage of possible sunshine averages 35-45 for the winter months,
50-60 in March and April, and during May through October is 60-70 percent.
Of particular interest to the farmer is that 3 out of 5 days average sunny
during June, July and August. For the winter months, the ratio is the
opposite.

Humidity is moderately high throughout the year. The mornings
average about 80 percent over the year. The average for noon and evening
is about 60 percent in summer and 70 percent in winter.

MEAN ANNUAL RAINFALL
IN
KENTUCKY
in inches

[Map of Kentucky rain level]

After J. R. {unreadable}
Length of Control Period, 40 Years

AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS
WITHOUT KILLING FROST
IN
KENTUCKY

[Map of Kentucky frost level]

Data From The
U. S. Weather Burea

RELATION OF GEOLOGY TO THE LAND RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY

In Kentucky, the geologic materials exposed on the land surface range
from very old to the youngest known. Distribution of the fromations on the
surface while varied is not comples, and the small geologic map shown will
help in visualizing the pattern.

Extending through the central part of Kentucky, nearly north to south,
is an arching-up of the formations called the Cincinnati Arch by geologists.
The Arch has influenced greatly the distribution of the rock formations and
thus the building of the land surface. In the Bluegrass the Arch rose to its
greastest height and leater erosion of this dome has uncovered the oldest
formations in the state. These belong to that part of geologic history called
the Ordovician Period; most are limestones, some are calcareous shales and
siltstones.

Southward from the Bluegrass the Arch sags downward to form a low
place or saddle in which lies the Eastern Pennyroyal, then rises again as it
continues southward. Down the sides of the ARch--eastward, wouthward, and
westward from the Bluegrass--progressively younger formations occur.
Mostly because these were lower on the sides of the Arch and the dome they
have not worn away as rapidly or as extensively, and the Bluegrass is sur-
rounded by lands of younger formations.

The Knobs Region, encircling the Bluegrass on the east, south and west,
is composed of shales, sandstones and some limestones of Silurian, Devonian
and Mississippian age, all younger than the Ordovician.

To the east of the Arch, and southeast of the Bluegrass, lies the structural
basin of the Eastern Mountains and Coal Field with its still younger forma-
tions of Pennsylvanian age. Also known as the Coal Measures these forma-
tions are mostly sandstones, conglomerates (pebbly sandstones) shales, and
seams of high quality coal. Some formations of Mississippian age are
along the western margin.

Westward and southward from the Bluegrass, beneath the surface down
the sides of the Arch, is the plateau-like Pennyroyal Region. Formations
are of Mississippian age and the region is often called the Mississippian
Plateau. Formations range from the predominantly sandstone area sur-
rounding the Western Coal Field, through the Limestone Area, to the mixed
acidic and calcareous shales, siltstones and sandstones, and impure lime-
stones of the Eastern Pennyroyal.

The Western Coal Field is part of a structural and topographic basin that
extends northward from the western half of the Pennyroyal into the states
adjoining Kentucky on the north. Again, formations are chiefly sandstones,
conglomerates, shales and coals of the Coal Measures. The extensive valleys
of the major streams and larger tributaries were carved in weak shales, later
filled with many feet of lake sediments during the Glacial Period, and covered
with much fine wind-blown material called loess. This loess also occurs in
the higher portions, but thins southeasward.

To the far west of the Pennyroyal lies part of another structural basin
called the Gulf or Mississippian Embayment. This basin, now actually an
old coastal plain, was once covered by water when the Gulf of Mexico was
larger and extended farther north. The old shoreline extends through the
Cumberland-Tennessee Rivers Area. Formations of this area are mostly
gravels and sands of Cretaceous age, with some cherty limestones of Mis-
sissippian age, most with a thin covering of loess. Most of the gravels are
poorly cemented, or unconsolidated, and have helped to form a rough terrain.

West of the Tennessee River, and Kentucky Lake, the old coastal plain
forms the Jackson Purschase Region, geologically the youngest. Most of the
formations are of Tertiary age, and consist of alluvial and marine gravels,
sands and clays, covered by loess that deepens toward the Mississippi River.
Along Kentucky Lake there are older materials; loose gravels and clays of
Cretaceous age, and some impure, cherty limestones of Mississippian age.

Happenings in geologic past have influenced greatly the forming of Ken-
tucky's land resources. The structural position of the geologic materials,
along with differences in thickness and hardness, have largely determined the
form and extend of the natural regions. These materials, with their diverse
chemical and physical characteristics, thier distribution and proportions,
have contributed much to the physical and chemical nature of the soils.
It is impossible to separate from the agricultural evalution of these soils
and their usefulness, a consideration of the geologic history and materials
responsible for the present land surface of Kentucky.

GENERALIZED GEOLOGY OF
KENTUCKY

[Map of Kentucky]

SUGGESTED REFERENCES:
A KEY TO KENTUCKY SOILS. BY W. S. Ligon and P. E. Karraker, Circular 64, Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station.
TYPES OF FARMING IN KENTUCKY. By Bruce Poundstone and W. J. Roth, Bulletin 357, Kentucky Agri. Exp. Sta. (out of print).
1950 U. S. CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE, KENTUCKY, VOLUME ONE, PART 19. Bureau of the Census, U. S. Department of Commerce.
CLIMATE AND MAN, 1941 YEARBOOK OF AGRICULTURE. U. S. Department of Agriculture.

THE AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD OF KENTUCKY ACKNOWL-
EDGES THE INDISPENSABLE COOPERATIBE ASSISTANCE OF VARIOUS AGENCIES, GROUPS
AND INDIVIUALS IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS "LAND USE SUITABILITY MAP OF KENTUCKY:"

The Soil Conservation Service, U. S. Dept. of Agri. furnished
the soils and land use data on which the map is based. Com-
pilation of these data has been under the direction of Mr. W.
W. Carpenter, SCS, Soil Scientist for Kentucky.

Dr. Wm. S. Ligon, Prin. Soil Corr., Soil Survey, SCS, Mr. W.
W. Carpenter, and Prof. P. E. Karraker, Head, Soils Section,
Ky. Agri. Exp. Sta., prepared the text on the soils of the various
regions. They have also assisted in the overall development
of the map and legend.

The Land Use Suitability Classification was developed by
Mr. Carpenter, Dr. Ligon, Prof. Karraker, and Mr. Sheridan L.
Hall, Geographer, of the Board.

Drs. Aubrey J. Brown and John F. Bondurant, Dept. of Agri.
Econ., Ky. Agri. Exp. Sta., prepared the material on economics
and trends of agriculture in Kentucky.

Dr. J. R. Schwendman, Head, Dept. of Geol., Univ. of Ky., and
Dir., Ky. Geol. Sur., and D. J. Jones, State Geologist, advised
on geologic data incorporated in the map, and the geologic
text and reference map.

The Kentucky Agricultural Council lent engouragement to the
project and is to cooperate in the distribution of the map.

The cartographic design and format is the work of Mr. Hall of
the Board, who has also supervised preparation and publi-
cation.

Earl R. Muir, Chairman

Joseph H. Taylor, Executive Director

AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVEPMENT BOARD OF KENTUCKY

Lawrence W. Wetherby, Governor
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY