THE FARGO CLAY LOAM. 15 



Considerably more than one-half of the total of the cultivated area 

 of the Fargo clay loam is annually devoted to the growing of spring 

 wheat. The yields secured vary considerably with the climatic con- 

 ditions, principally with the amount of rainfall. In years of exces- 

 sive rain the yield may fall to an average of 5 or 6 bushels per acre 

 upon the poorly drained areas, while in years of normal rainfall the 

 yield is in the vicinity of 15 bushels per acre for all portions of the 

 type. 



Wild hay is second in acreage only to wheat. An average of 1 ton 

 to 1 tons per acre is cut under fairly favorable conditions. 



Oats and barley constitute important crops to supplement spring 

 wheat, being sown when the climatic conditions are such that the 

 ground may not be prepared in time for the production of the wheat 

 crop. The yields of oats average about 30 bushels per acre ; those of 

 barley a little more than 25 bushels per acre. 



Owing to adverse climatic conditions only special varieties of corn 

 may be brought to maturity upon the Fargo clay loam, and the yields 

 of these varieties average about 25 bushels per acre. Corn for silage 

 purposes might well be grown upon the type, reaching maturity in 

 the short growing season characteristic of the latitude where the type 

 is developed. 



Flax also constitutes an important crop, being grown almost exclu- 

 sively for the production of seed. The average yield is about 10 

 bushels per acre. Flax is grown principally upon newly broken 

 ground, while barley by contrast is usually sown upon ground which 

 has produced several crops of wheat or other grain. 



Both dairying and stock raising for beef production have gained 

 some foothold upon the type, and dairying in particular might well 

 be developed as a profitable form of farm occupation for the Fargo 

 clay loam. 



Heavy teams with the four or six horse hitch and even steam-power 

 machinery are extensively used upon the level surface of the great 

 grain fields constituting the principal tilled area of the type. 



Supplementary artificial drainage and the adoption of rational 

 crop rotations are the most important improvements for the manage- 

 ment of this soil. 



The Fargo clay loam is the dominant spring wheat soil of western 

 Minnesota and eastern North Dakota, being more universally devoted 

 to the production of this crop, it is probable, than any other soil type 

 in the United States. 



Approved. 



JAMES WILSON, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 

 WASHINGTON, D. C., June 12, 1911. 



