53 



dark in color, of great fertility, and, judging from the soils of similar 

 origin found in the Ehiue region and the Mediterraneans in Europe, 

 which have supported vineyards for many years, will probably prove 

 very enduring and produce a great variety of crops. 



These two classes of soils run into each other by insensible grada- 

 tions. 



The term " prairie soils" is most indefinite, as commonly used, includ- 

 ing soils of various origin. The prairie region of the West occupies a 

 vast extent of country, extending over the eastern part of Ohio, Indiana, 

 the southern portions of Michigan and Wisconsin, nearly the whole of 

 Illinois and Iowa, and the northern portion of Missouri, and gradually 

 passing, in Kansas and Nebraska, into the plains, or the arid and desert 

 region which lies at the base of the Rocky Mountains. West of the 

 parallel of 97 and 100 the country becomes too barren to be inhabited 

 and worthless for cultivation. 



The region of the greatest cereal production of this country includes 

 the most noted of the prairie soils, and is nominally in the drift region 

 of geologists. Light clays and heavy loams are the best for wheat, 

 though very heavy clays often produce good crops, both as to yield and 

 quality 5 the lighter soils may yield a good quality, but deficient in quan- 

 tity ; moderately stiff soils produce generally the best crops. 



HISTORY OF THE SOILS ANALYZED BY THIS DIVISION. 



During the past year over thirty-six soils were analyzed by this divis- 

 ion, thirty of which were done completely and the results obtained will 

 be found in Table IV. The remainder were only partially analyzed, 

 and are not tabulated. 



This table is presented in the following pages, and the history of each 

 soil, as far as known, is appended, to be found under its respective 

 serial number. 



