THE CAERINGTON SILT LOAM. 5 



deficiency in precipitation and a consequent crop restriction. Differ- 

 ences in length of growing season and of mean summer temperature 

 are the most important factors, however, affecting crop adaptations. 

 In the more northern areas the seasons are too short for the profitable 

 production of corn as a grain crop and, as a result, the small grains 

 and flax constitute the crops of chief importance. 



IMPROVEMENTS IN SOIL EFFICIENCY. 



The chief improvement which may be suggested in the agricul- 

 tural occupation of the Carrington silt loam is the more general 

 adoption of systematic crop rotations in the management of this 

 soil. In all of the older settled communities this practice already 

 prevails, but in the more western areas there is still a tendency 

 toward one-crop farming for the production of wheat. The natural 

 fertility of the soil is great, and even many years of almost con- 

 tinuous wheat cropping have not greatly impaired the efficiency of 

 the type. Where a rotation consisting of corn 'followed by one or 

 two years of wheat and by a subsequent seeding to mixed grasses 

 with a considerable proportion of clover has been adopted, the best 

 yields of each of these crops is secured. In some areas the failure 

 of corn to mature in the short growing season interferes with the 

 general adoption of this standard rotation, but the development of 

 quick-maturing varieties has considerably extended the area within 

 which corn may be successfully grown. In more northern areas, 

 where the drainage of this soil type is adequate, potatoes might be- 

 come a very valuable intertilled crop to substitute on a part of the 

 acreage which should otherwise be devoted to corn. 



The Carrington silt^loam occurs extensively within regions where 

 the use of commercial fertilizers is of recent adoption and where the 

 saving and application of stable manures is not a general practice. 

 In order to maintain the excellent organic matter content of the sur- 

 face soil all stable manures made upon the farm should be saved 

 and applied to the land, preferably when it is prepared for corn 

 growing. The proper rotation of crops and the use of the stable 

 manures will maintain the high crop-producing power of this soil 

 without any widespread use of mineral fertilizers. 



While tile drainage has already been installed upon thousands of 

 acres of the type with very favorable results in increased crop yields 

 and profits, there still remain many level or slightly depressed areas 

 which should be thus improved. Frequently it is not necessary to 

 install a complete drainage system for an entire farm, or even for 

 all portions of a single field. The use of tile in draws and depres- 

 sions to supplement the natural drainage of the greater part of the 

 field is frequently all that is required. The tile should be of good 

 size, ranging from 3 inches to 5 inches in diameter, and should be 



