Land utilization study on 100 farms in Floyd County, Virginia, in 1937

Soils in the area studied seemed to be a determining factor in land class. With very few exceptions the land of Class IV was found to consist mainly of alluvial soils, lying along Little River. Classes I and II combined, and Class III lands were found in some cases along Little River but these areas were dominated by cliffs, woods, and untillable land, and included relatively little alluvial soil. Rock outcroppings in the hilly soils were noticeable on most of the land of Classes I, II, and III.

Farm management data alone provide insufficient information for an adequate classification of the land. A personal investigation in conjunction with farm management data will tend to improve the classification.

Value and condition of buildings are an important factor in classifying land but too much importance should not be attached to this factor, especially in areas where lumber is relatively plentiful, as was the case in Floyd County. It seems, from the results of this study, that when the value and condition of buildings are used in the classification of land that the tenure of the operator should be taken into consideration.

To attempt a land classification project without topographical and soil maps may easily result in many errors unless reliable farm management data be supplemented with information obtained by careful personal investigation. It is thought that on the basis of the procedure followed in this study a dependable classification is possible. However, the use of such maps should reduce considerably the difficulty and cost of making an adequate classification.