EXPERIMENT STATION BUDLiETINS. 501 



Soil Acidity. The light type of sand comprising the ridges is deficient 

 in hme and where apphcations of it have been made excellent results have 

 been obtained especially from leguminous crops. 



The typical type of sand for the most part contains more lime than the above 

 — this being especially true where the tight subsoil lies near the surface. 

 Where 8 to 10 feet of sand overlies the clay the surface soils usually show a 

 slight acid reaction. 



The heavy type of sand is usually alkaline or neutral in reaction and the 

 need of lime is not general. 



Nitrogen. The nitrogen content of the light type of sand is quite low. 

 In most instances it is less than 1,400 pounds per acre in the surface layer. 

 The typical type of sandy soil carries somewhat more of this element of plant- 

 food, the average being about 1,835 pounds, whereas the heavy type of sand 

 which lies in the depressions and swails contains larger quantities, the amount 

 present being quite variable. 



Phosphorus. The phosphorus situation is rather critical. The chemical 

 analyses reveal that all these are deficient in this element and the average 

 was found to be 1,091 pounds per acre of the surface soil. 



Potassium. The total potassium content of these soils is good. In fact 

 it compares favorably with the finer textured or heavier soils of the area. 

 Where the vegetable matter is low and stable manure is not available in ade- 

 quate amounts the use of commercial potash should be profitable. 



Cropping Systems. The vegetable matter content of these soils should 

 be increased. The most successfully managed are those upon which three 

 year rotations, including a leguminous crop, are practiced, the crop residues 

 and stable manure being properly cared for and returned to the land. A 

 tilled crop and a small grain crop are grown in the rotation. In some cases 

 the rotation is extended one year by growing a mixed meadow. Such practices 

 supply the major portion of the nitrogen that is required in crop production 

 and thus cut down the expenditure for fertilizers. Where drainage is adequate 

 alfalfa may be grown successfully provided the soils are limed and properly 

 fertilized. 



The Lime Situation. The practice of liming should be more general. 

 It is needed for the successful production of clovers and alfalfa and increases 

 the yields of small grains except on some of the fields that are composed of 

 heavy or low lying sand. The lime requirement of these lands ranges from 

 about 1,500 pounds to two tons per acre of finely ground limestone. Where 

 alfalfa is to be grown on the deep sands not less than two tons should be 

 applied. If the clay lies near the surface, smaller applications of lime may 

 suffice, inasmuch as the alfalfa roots reach the clay which is high in lime. 

 (For further information on liming soils send for Bulletin No. 91 of the 

 Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station.) 



Nitrogen. There is a general need for nitrogen on the sandy lands except 

 those that run high in vegetable matter. Where unmixed fertilizers are 

 purchased nitrogen should be used as nitrate of soda on all crops in the 

 rotation except the legumes. Where rye or wheat is grown early spring top 

 dressings consisting of fifty or more pounds per acre should be made with 

 profit, unless ample amounts of manure are applied in the rotation. If clover 

 is grown every third year it is probable that the size of the application of the 

 nitrate should be reduced. If the rotation is lengthened to four years the 

 timothy should also receive a top dressing. 



