204 Proceedings of Indiana Academy of Science. 
Muck. 
Characteristics—Muck is a dark brown to black mixture composed 
of the organic remains of swamp vegetation in various stages of oxida- 
tion, mixed with varying quantities of sand, clay and silt. It ranges 
from two or three feet to many feet in depth. On the outer margins 
the muck merges into the Clyde series. 
Most of the muck occurs north of the Wabash and in many areas is 
bordered by sand ridges. The surface is level, and before it is drained 
it is covered with water, forming a marsh. Many of the areas were 
known as prairie by the early settlers. They were covered with a 
growth of sedges, marsh grass, etc. At the present time it is usually 
drained by dredge ditches. When it is properly drained and sown in 
grass it forms fine meadow or pasture land, in fact that seems to be 
the most satisfactory farm crop to use. 
Crops Grown.—It produces good crops of corn where the frost does 
not get it in the late spring or early fall, but this land is affected most 
of all. Most muck is deficient in potash, which can be supplied by 
manure and potash salts. Grains grow too rank and lodge badly. Muck 
is well adapted to the growth of onions, celery, cabbage, lettuce, beets, 
turnips, cauliflower and Irish potatoes. It is especially used for gar- 
dening when close to town. 
MEADOW. 
Meadow represents the variable soil conditions encountered in the 
narrow, trough-like valleys of the streams. It consists of alluvial mate- 
rial, varying from almost pure sand to silt or clay, and is usually sub- 
ject to overflow with very high water. Part of it is in cultivation, but 
most of it is in pasture, trees, underbrush and weeds. This type is not 
shown separately on the map, but is included with the Genesee series. 
