502 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Phosphates should be added regularly and where the unmixed goods are 

 made use of about two hundred pounds of 16 per cent acid phosphate or an 

 equivalent amount of phosphorus in double superphosphate should be applied 

 to the grain crops in a three year rotation. If a four year rotation is practiced 

 an additional application should be made. 



Potash should be applied to the soil just before being devoted to those 

 crops that respond most vigorously to it. Our fertility tests in southern 

 Michigan show that clover is responsive to applications of potash. When 

 grown on infertile sandy soils, potatoes and corn are usually considered to 

 be favorably affected by the addition of it. When the prices are not ex- 

 horbitant from 50 to 100 pounds may be applied per acre unless an abundance 

 of manure is used or the soil is well supplied with actively decaying vegetable 

 matter. 



It is advisable to use high grade goods if mixed fertilizers are applied. 

 Mixtures for these soils should carry 2 to 4 per cent of nitrogen, 10 to 12 per 

 cent phosphoric acid and about 2 to 4 per cent of potash. These should be 

 applied at the rate of 200 or more pounds per acre. 



Land Values. While these soils are for the most part poor the selling 

 price per acre is not far below that of the heavier and more productive ones. 

 This type of soil has been made use of to a large extent by speculators who have 

 chargecl excessive prices per acre, which accounts for the high valuation. 



SANDY LOAM 



Extent of Type. This type covers approximately 15 per cent of the area. 

 It occurs as delta formations where the larger streams flowed into the old 

 lake, in the extreme northern part of the district on the lake bed and along 

 the upland. The most prominent deposits of the former are where the Huron, 

 Raisen, Saline and Rouge rivers enter the area. 



Topography and Variations in Type. The topography for the most part 

 is gently undulating to rolling. The old delta formations are usually gently 

 undulating with a gradual slope toward the lower land. This type in the 

 old lake bed proper is undulating to rolling. 



Throughout the occurrence of the sandy loam as mapped, there are a 

 number of variations from the predominating type. The delta formations 

 are typical in texture, with the exception of coarse particles or small stones 

 which have been thoroughly mixed with the soil. This type in the old lake 

 bed proper is quite variable. Small areas of both lowlands and uplands are 

 sand. Ridges, small in extent, which are common throughout this district 

 are also of the sandy class. Some heavy soils exist in the very low situations 

 but the deposits are too small to be considered in a general map. 



SANDY LOAM ON DELTA FORMATIONS 



Description. The surface soil ranges from 4 to 12 inches in depth and is a 

 typical sandy loam, light brown to dark grayish in color and is loose, friable 

 and well drained. It contains a large number of small stones near the up- 

 land, the number gradually diminishing as the lower lands are approached. 

 The type grades into a heavy phase near the low lands, however, the extent of 

 this heavy phase if very small. 



