EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 



503 



at all, from those of Southern Michigan in cropping values. When prop- 

 erly managed it is safe to assume, they will excel in the production of 

 timothy, blue grass, and alsike clover, and will produce good yields of 

 the crops known to be suited to muck soils. They will give fair to ex- 

 cellent yields of rye, oats, barley, sunflowers, etc. The limiting factor 

 at this time, in the case of grains, is the possibility of late and early 

 frosts. 



MANAGEMENT. ' 



Clays — The clays are heavy to work when first brought under culti- 

 vation, but greatly improve when care is exercised in the lise of tillage 

 tools, proper crop rotation, and the incorporating of organic matter in 

 them. These soils will prove to possess great durability and productive- 

 ness. 



Fig. 8. Clover field of O. F. Branns, Merriman, Dickinson County. This shows one 

 reason why Michigan's Upper Peninsula is called "Cloverland." 



Loams — The loams possess a wide range of crop adaptation and be- 

 cause of this fact, are frequently abused by heavy cropping and poor 

 management. A careful plan of crop rotation should be practiced. 



Sandy Loams — The sandy loams must be handled intelligently if their 

 productiveness is to be maintained. Short rotations should be practiced 

 and goodly amounts of organic matter must be returned to the soil. 



Muck Soils — Experience so far indicates that these soils will require 

 management identical with that of muck soils elsewhere. Drainage must 

 be provided; but (extreme care must be exercised, particularly where 

 the muck is underlaid by sand, not to over-drain. Corrective treatments 

 of potash are apparently sure to be required. Barnyard manure will 

 always prove helpful. Lime will be required in some instances. 



