Soil Survey Report Volume 1-18 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 Excerpt: ...drained areas there is heavy mottling in the lower subsoil. Iron concretions are often present. The topography of the type is flat and low-lying to depressed. The natural drainage is poor and crops suffer in wet seasons. The depressed areas are rather swampy. The type is subject to overflow and is similar to "gumbo." About half of the type is cultivated, the remainder being in pasture and used for the production of wild hay. Corn is the chief crop grown on the cultivated portion and with adequate drainage yields of 35 to 70 bushels per acre are secured. The main need of the soil is for thoro drainage and it should also be protected from overflow. It is high in organic matter but small applications of farm manure would be of value in starting the decomposition processes which are necessary for the production of available plant food. Fall plowing is recommended. Lime is necessary as the type is acid in reaction. The treatment suggested for "gumbo" soils earlier in this report are applicable to this type. SARPY FINE SANDY LOAM (102) This is a minor type covering 1,344 acres or 0.5 percent of the total area of the county. It occurs on the bottoms of the Wapsipinicon river associated with the Sarpy silt loam. It is somewhat higher than the latter type and hence is somewhat better drained. The surface soil is a grayish-brown to brown or rusty-brown fine sandy loam from 12 to 15 inches in depth. The subsoil is a gray to rusty-brown or gray, yellow and brown mottled fine sandy loam to fine sand. There are many local variations both in the surface soil and subsoil. The type is subject to overflow. Most of this type is in pasture. Corn and rye are the crops grown on the cultivated portion and fair yields arc secured. The first need of this soil fo...