EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 



495 



without the use of hme. Applications of hme have been made but no in- 

 creased yields have resulted. All conditions indicate that an abundant 

 supply of lime is present in this type of soil. 



SILT L0A3I 



Extent of Type. The silt loam is probably first in importance in this area 

 because of its fertility and extent. This tjq^e covers approximately 30 per 

 cent of the area and is not confined to any one district but as shown by the 

 map is well distributed throughout the area. The most extensive deposits 

 are in north eastern Lenawee county, northwestern Monroe county and in 

 the extreme southern part of Washtenaw county. Another area of importance 

 is along Lake Erie and the Detroit river. 



Topography and Variations in Type. The topograph}^ of this type is from 

 level to undulating. Where the old shore lines occur there are ridges which 

 should be classed as rolling, however, these cover only a very small part 

 of these areas and are scarcely worthy of mention. 



Fig. 7. — Alsike clover does well on the heavy land. 



The level land is composed of a heavy phase of silt loam. The undu- 

 lating districts are more variable, the knolls being typical silt loam, while 

 the draws and pockets range from clay loam to heavy silt loam. The latter 

 type is high in organic matter and quite friable. The old shore fine ridges 

 are sandy in nature varjdng from a gravelly sand to heavy sandy loam. 



Description. The surface soil is composed of a heavy phase of dark 

 colored silt loam containing a high content of organic matter which renders 

 it quite friable. The depth on the knolls ranges from 4 to 6 inches, on the 

 level land 8 inches, while in the draws and pockets it is much deeper, ranging 

 from 10 to 20 inches. 



The subsoil is a yellowish brown tight clay to a depth of 18 to 20 inches. 

 Grayish brown mottling is quite prominent in this stratum. Below 20 inches 

 occurs a quite impervious yellow clay except in the lower lands where the 



