THE WABASH SILT LOAM. 9 



is found. That these crops are not more generally and more exten- 

 sively grown is due to the fact that in practically all regions where 

 the Wabash silt loam is found, corn is the dominant crop, and the 

 attention of the farmer is particularly directed toward the planting 

 of the largest possible acreage and toward securing maximum yields 

 of this one crop. 



Consequently a soil type so well suited to its production as the 

 Wabash silt loam is devoted almost exclusively to this one crop 

 and other special crops to which it is well adapted have not been 

 seriousty considered. Local usage arid local demand have been the 

 principal limitations which thus far have excluded the growing of 

 market vegetables upon the Wabash silt loam. 



EXTENT OF OCCUPATION. 



In some areas where it occurs the Wabash silt loam is practically 

 unoccupied for any purpose of intensive cultivation. Its surface is 

 overgrown with a heavy growth of water-loving trees, beneath 

 which flourishes a rank vegetation of brambles, vines, ferns, and 

 grasses. In many cases the trees and other growths are so dense as 

 to form almost impenetrable swamps over a considerable portion of 

 the lower lying area of the type. Wherever low ridges or the 

 natural levees along the river fronts rise to slightly higher altitudes, 

 clearings have been made in this dense forestation, and small areas 

 are cultivated to corn, oats, and grass. Very rarely are any farm 

 buildings found upon the type except within the embanked districts 

 or in similar localities which are naturally protected from overflow. 

 Taking into consideration the entire extent of the Wabash silt loam, 

 it is probable that not over 20 per cent of the type is annually occu- 

 pied for the production of corn or other tended crops. Probably 

 another 20 per cent is occupied by natural grasses, or by meadows 

 which have been artificially seeded. The remainder consists of 

 native forest through which the native grasses form an irregular 

 carpet of vegetation, succulent, heavy, and valuable in the natural 

 openings, and almost lacking beneath the denser forest growth. This 

 remainder of the type, however, furnishes a large amount of excellent 

 pasturage for beef cattle, dairy animals, and swine. 



There still remain many thousands of acres of the Wabash silt 

 loam which may easily and profitably be protected by dikes and 

 relieved of surplus moisture through drains to become some of the 

 most valuable and the most fertile of the minor soil types of the 

 Central States. ' 



CROP ADAPTATIONS. 



In all discussions of the crop adaptations of the Wabash silt loam 

 it must be borne in mind that the argument applies only to the 



