SOIL SURVEY OF BANNER COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 35 



The type is naturally a very strong soil, and the crop yields de- 

 pend in a large measure upon the conservation of soil moisture. 

 Thorough preparation of the seed bed is ad\nsablG, even at the ex- 

 pense of a reduction of the acreage. For corn and other tilled crops 

 the maintenance of a surface mulch by frequent cultivation is 

 necessary. 



EPPING FINK SANDY LOAM. 



The surface soil of the Epping fine sandy loam is a grayish-brown 

 to brown, loose, friable fine sandy loam, 8 to 12 inches deep. There 

 is always present a relatively large percentage of very fine sand and 

 considerable silt. The depth and color of the soil varies with the 

 topograph3^ In the more level areas, where conditions have favored 

 the accumulation of organic matter, it is darker and deeper than 

 elsewhere. The subsoil is a light-brown fine to very fine sandy loam, 

 which becomes lighter in color with depth, and at a depth of about 

 24 inches, grades into a loose, floury, white to pinkish-white, silty 

 clay, much resembling the lower subsoil of tlie Epping silt loam and 

 very fine sandy loam types. Both the soil and subsoil are deficient in 

 organic matter. The soil is slightly calcareous and the lower subsoil 

 has a high lime content. 



The type is derived b}^ weathering from the consolidated clay de- 

 posits of the Brule formation. The light textured surface soil is 

 undoubtedly due to accumulated coarse materials from adjoining 

 types, through the agencies of wind and water. 



The Epping fine sandy loam is extensively developed in the north- 

 ern part of Banner County. It occurs as scattered areas of con- 

 siderable size throughout the Pumpkin Creek Valley and a few small 

 bodies lie on the north side of Wild Cat Ridge. One of the largest 

 areas occurs on the north side of Pumpkin Creek, in the north- 

 central part of the county, and a very typical body is mapped in the 

 northwestern part, on the west side of Bull Canyon. Nearly all the 

 type lies contiguous to bodies of Bridgeport loamy fine sand, and it 

 has probably derived much of its sandy surface, through the addi- 

 tion of materials blown from that type. 



The topography of the Epping fine sandy loam ranges from gently 

 undulating to rolling. By far the greater part occurs on the long, 

 gently rolling slopes between the upland and Pumpkin Creek. The 

 roughest topography is adjacent to areas of Rough broken land, 

 where the slopes become rolling and rather steep. 



Drainage is everywhere good. The uneven topography affords 

 ample outlet for all surface water and the porous soil and subsoil 

 insures thorough underdrainage. 



The type is not an important farming soil in Banner County. It 

 has a tendency to blow badly when cultivated and is not ver}^ re- 



