SOIL SURVEY OF BAXXER COUNTY; NEBRASKA. 41 



been derived partly by weathering from the underlying Brule for- 

 mation under conditions of poor drainage and parti}' by transported 

 silts, carried down from the upland by streams. The drainage in 

 general is inadequate. Surface drainage is not established, though 

 the soil is sufficiently porous to absorb most of the light rainfall. 



The phase is of no agricultural importance. It contains alkali in 

 spots, and this, together with the nearness of the bedrock to the sur- 

 face, has prevented its being used for cultivated crops. It is all in- 

 cluded in pasture and hay land. The native vegetation consists of 

 a thick growth of grama grass, buffalo grass, and western wheat 

 grass, together with a large admixture of blackroot. These yield 

 one-half to 1 ton of hay per acre, depending upon the season. 



From $30 to $50 an acre is asked for land of this phase. The rela- 

 tively high price is due to nearness to Harrisburg and not to the 

 agricultural value of the soil. 



VALENTIN'E LOAMY FINE SAND. 



The surface soil of the Valentine loamy fine sand consists of 8 

 to 12 inches of grayish-brown to brown, loose, friable loamy fine 

 sand. The depth and color of the soil vary with the topography. In 

 the depressional areas, where the accumulation of organic matter 

 has been favored, the soil is deeper and darker than elsewhere. The 

 surface 6 inches contains sufficient organic matter to give the type 

 its loamy character. 



The subsoil is a loose, incoherent, light yellowish brown to light- 

 brown fine sand. In places the upper subsoil is in some areas slightly 

 compact but the hand sample crumbles readily under pressure. 

 Here and there the lower subsoil contains a considerable amount of 

 silt and clay, which give it a sticky^ consistency when wet. The sub- 

 stratum is a loose, incoherent, gray sand, much resembling the sub- 

 soil of the Dunesancl. Both soil and subsoil are comparatively low in 

 organic matter and noncalcareous. 



The origin of the Valentine loamy fine sand is difficult to deter- 

 mine. It was originally released by weathering from Tertiary rocks, 

 but has been so shifted by wind and water, redeposited, and subse- 

 quently weathered that it is not possible to make any positive classi- 

 fication in regard to origin. 



The type is not extensively developed in Banner County, though 

 there are a few areas of considerable extent along the north county 

 line. The largest area lies east of the head of Pumpkin Creek. 



The topography is gently undulating to rolling. The surface is 

 broken by small knolls and ridges and may be characterized as " hum- 

 mocky." Drainageways have not been developed, as the rainfall 

 readily sinks into the porous sand and there is practically no 

 run-off. 



