14 SOILS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. 



normal water level exists at a depth of 3 feet or more below the sur- 

 face, and where, in addition, the surface of the type is not subject to 

 inundation. It may be broadly stated that if other areas are chosen 

 for seeding to alfalfa the crop will suffer damage and ultimate de- 

 struction through ths rapid penetration of the taproot into the satu- 

 rated subsoil, and that the stand of the field will be approximately 

 one year for each foot in' depth to the water table. Of course, there 

 are variations and modifications of this generalization. 



In addition to alfalfa, Bermuda grass, white clover, and lespedeza 

 all grow luxuriantly upon this type and are excellent grasses, both to 

 be cut for hay or to be grazed off by work stock or dairy animals. 

 The crab grass which infests many of the cotton fields is also valuable 

 for grazing purposes and may be cut for hay. It is usually considered 

 a nuisance upon all cotton plantations, and its introduction into any 

 area is not to be recommended. The other grasses are generally to be 

 preferred either for the production of hay or for grazing. 



It is thus seen that for certain staple crops and, to a limited extent, 

 for market-garden crops the properly protected and drained areas of 

 the Wabash clay are exceedingly valuable. Although the type is of 

 somewhat limited extent, those areas which are under cultivation have 

 established for themselves a high reputation for the production of 

 corn, spring wheat, and grass in the northern areas, and for the pro- 

 duction of cotton and sugar cane in the southern localities where they 

 occur. In addition to the staple crops enumerated, grass grows luxu- 

 riantly upon the type in all of the areas where it occurs. Under cer- 

 tain restricted conditions, alfalfa, Bermuda grass, lespedeza, clover, 

 timothy, and redtop all furnish remunerative hay yields. Thus the 

 "\Vabash clay within its natural limitations is an extremely fertile and 

 valuable type of soil. Its cash valuations vary widely from the $5 or 

 $6 an acre, at which undrained and unprotected forest areas may be 

 bought, to $100 or even $200 an acre, at which the thoroughly pro- 

 tected areas suitable for cotton and cane production are held. 



SUMMARY. 



The Wabash clay is an important and widely distributed alluvial 

 soil found within the flood plains of the Mississippi River and of its 

 major tributaries. 



The surface soil is a black, waxy or granulated clay, the former 

 being known as " gumbo " and the latter as " buckshot " land. The 

 subsoil is a yellow or drab plastic clay, frequently laminated and 

 universally very retentive of moisture. 



The Wabash clay occupies level areas and slight depressions usually 

 to the rear of the lands fronting along the main rivers. It is sub- 

 ject to frequent overflow in all areas except those protected by levees 

 and even then the back-set waters from tributary drainages not infre- 

 quently submerge the surface of the type for considerable periods 

 in the spring months. 



