THE CLYDE LOAM. 9 



to immediate marketing. The culture of the crop is little more dif- 

 ficult than that needed in the production of corn and the labor not as 

 exacting as that required in the production of sugar beets. It is not 

 probable that any large area of onions or of celery would be advisable 

 upon the individual farm where the Clyde loam is developed, since 

 muck and peat soils are also found extensively in the same general 

 regions, and the muck soils in particular are somewhat better 

 adapted to the production of these crops. Both onions and celery, 

 however, may be produced with considerable profit upon the Clyde 

 loam. The production of late strawberries suited to the market de- 

 mands, after the southern market berries have been exhausted and 

 even after the local berries from better drained upland soils have 

 passed out of the market, might well be developed upon those areas 

 of the Clyde loam accessible to transportation facilities to the larger 

 northern cities. A considerable demand for these late berries exists 

 and the prices paid are only less than those paid for the extra early 

 berries of the first part of the season. 



Wherever any of these special crops are to be produced upon the 

 Clyde loam the greatest care should be taken in the thorough drain- 

 age of the fields. Such extra care is justified by the high acreage 

 value of the crops to be grown. Similarly, the careful preparation 

 of the land, including the thorough fining of the surface soil and 

 the incorporation of stable manures, will be thoroughly justified and 

 recompensed. 



EXTENT OF OCCUPATION. 



The extent of occupation of the Clyde loam varies considerably 

 in the different localities where it occurs. In the more eastern dis- 

 tricts from 50 to 80 per cent of the type has been cleared, drained, 

 and brought under cultivation. In the more western regions a con- 

 siderable proportion of the type is occupied for grain production dur- 

 ing the years of moderate or deficient rainfall, while in years of exces- 

 sive precipitation only a small proportion of the type is utilized for 

 the growing of any crop. The establishment of drainage in such 

 areas would render possible the occupation of all of the areas of the 

 Clyde loam during all seasons, a condition which is impossible until 

 the poor natural drainage has been supplemented by open ditches, 

 and, in some cases, by the installation of tile. In all areas where it 

 occurs, the occupation of the remainder of the type can be made 

 possible only by careful attention to thorough drainage. In the 

 more eastern areas even those portions of the type not used for grain, 

 grass, or tilled-crop production are frequently utilized for pasturage 

 or the cutting of wild hay. Small areas still remain forested or in a 

 swampy condition. 



