508, 



STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



.SANDY LOAM ON GRAVEOuLY SUBSOIL 



Another sandy loam quite small in extent covering less than 1 per cent of 

 the area. It comprises a terrace formation or second bottom land and is 

 located in Ypsilanti township in Washtenaw county and Van Buren township 

 in Wayne county, extending along the flood plains of the Huron river. 



The topography is level to undulating which is characteristic of such 

 formations. The texture is quite uniform, practically no soil type changes 

 are encountered. 



The surface soil ranges in depth from 7 to 10 inches and is a light brown 

 typical sandy loam. In some localities gravel stones are quite common in 

 the surface layers, however, their presence does not result unfavorably. 



The subsoil to the depth of 28 inches is a yellow to gray sandy silt containing 

 a few gravel stones. Below 28 inches the subsoil grades into a loose sandy 

 gravel grayish in color. A more ideal subsoil could not be obtained. The 

 sandy silt layer nearest the surface is sufficiently deep and impervious to 

 prevent rapid percolation of water yet porous enough to furnish good drainage. 



Soil Composition. This sandy loam although very small in extent is 

 productive. The organic matter, nitrogen, potassium and lime contents 

 according to analyses and as indicated by the growth of crops are good. 

 The element phosphorus is deficient, analysis showing an average of 842 

 pounds in the surface layers. 



While the amounts of fertilizing elements in this soil are somewhat lower 

 than the heavy land in this area, crop yields are practically the same and the 

 quality of grain excellent. This can be accounted for by the excellent natural 

 drainage and by good soil management. This district is largely devoted to 

 systematic dairy farming and a large amount of manure which is well taken 

 care of is returned to the land. Phosphoric acid either as the acid phosphate 



Fig. 14.— The flood plains are used largely as pasture land. 



