MEADOW. 17 



the upland soils with which they are associated, differing chiefly in a 

 somewhat higher organic-matter content and somewhat more moist 

 condition within the subsoil. Wild-grass hay is the chief product of 

 the meadow areas of these regions when they are in their natural con- 

 dition. Yields of 1 to 2 tons per acre are secured in Wisconsin, Min- 

 nesota, and the Dakotas. 



The reclamation of many such areas through proper drainage has 

 been one of the marked steps of agricultural progress within the last 

 generation within the North Central States and areas formerly valuable 

 for their contributions of wild hay are now among the most fertile 

 corn-growing soils. Moreover, with drainage and protection from 

 overflow, these soils have been used for the growing of the more 

 valuable grasses, clover, and alfalfa, and even for the seeding of wheat 

 and oats. Small areas, well located with regard to market or to trans- 

 portation, have been used for the growing of cabbage, onions, celery, 

 and other market-garden crops. These areas typify the course which 

 should be pursued with respect to thousands of acres of Meadow in 

 the more northern latitudes. 



SUMMARY. 



Meadow, in the classification of the soil survey, is a term used to 

 designate low-lying lands along streams which are subject to periodic 

 overflow but are not necessarily swampy at all times of the year. 

 Since such lands were first used for the growing of hay and the pas- 

 turing of animals, the first meaning of "meadow" was that of such 

 soils and conditions. The word is also used in a broader sense to 

 indicate any land where grass is cut for hay. This is a later use, 

 arising from the spread of grass production from the overflow lands 

 to uplands in general. 



Meadow occurs at any portion of a stream where the overflow 

 waters become checked in their velocity and are thus enabled to 

 deposit their load of sediment. Meadow soils are thus in the process 

 of formation at the present time. In consequence there may be no 

 fixed characteristic soil in any particular area of Meadow, as succeed- 

 ing freshets may bury older deposits of silt or clay under new loads 

 of sand or gravel. Meadow areas are thus changeable in their soil 

 texture from year to year. 



Because of the method by which Meadow is formed, small areas of 

 diversified soil materials constitute different portions of the same 

 area of stream bottom. This results in a wide variation in conditions, 

 deposits ranging from sand and coarse gravel to sandy loams, loams, 

 and even stiff clays. In some areas which are not subject to erosive 

 overflow accumulations of mucky surface soil may take place. 



In their natural condition all meadow areas are depressed below 

 surrounding uplands, subject to overflow, and in need of artificial 



