56 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1919. 



One of the most typical developments occurs on the east side of 

 the Harrisbiirg-Kimball road, about 5 miles south of Harrisburg. 



The soil has been deposited in shallow, circular basins or depres- 

 sions, locally called " buffalo wallows." These depressions occur only 

 on the table-land in the southern part of the area. The soil consists 

 of sediments washed in from the surrounding types. 



Owing to the impervious nature of the subsoil and to its basinlike 

 tojDography, water often accumulates in small ponds after rains. 

 It disappears very slowly, and poor drainage exists over the greater 

 part of the type. 



The soil is not used for crop production, but is valuable as pasture 

 and hay land. The native vegetation consists of grama grass, 

 buffalo grass, and western wheat grass, the last doing exceptionally 

 well, on account of the favorable moisture conditions. About 8 

 acres are required to support each head of stock, hay being fed in 

 severe weather. The native grasses yield one-half to three-fourths 

 ton per acre, depending upon the rainfall. Grasses suffer from lack 

 of moisture during protracted droughts, as the soil cracks badly upon 

 drying and evaporation becomes excessive. 



It is difficult to give land values on this type, as it comprises but a 

 small percentage of the farms and ranches on which it occurs. When 

 it occupies a considerable acreage the selling price of the farm is 

 greatly reduced. It is doubtful if the Scott silt loam should ever be 

 used for crop production. Some farmers haul manure and straw 

 on this type in an effort to increase its water-holding capacity, and 

 prevent surface accumulation. It is doubtful, however, if this 

 method will give the desired result; as it is the heavy, impervious 

 subsoil and not the soil that is the cause of the poor drainage. 



LAUREL FINE SANDY LOAM. 



The Laurel fine sandy loam consists of 8 to 12 inches of a light- 

 brown to grayish-brown, loose fine sandy loam. In a few places it 

 contains a relatively large percentage of very fine sand and silt and 

 approaches a very fine sandy loam in texture. 



The surface, 6 inches, is high in organic matter, but this constituent 

 rapidly decreases with depth. The upper subsoil is a gray to light- 

 gray, loose, incoherent fine to very fine sand, which, below about 20 

 inches gradually becomes coarser in texture, with considerable sand 

 and fine gravel encountered at 30 inches. The lower stratum is often 

 mottled with rusty-brown streaks as a result of poor drainage. Both 

 soil and subsoil are calcareous. 



The type is inextensive in Banner County. It occurs as an almost 

 continuous strip, varying in width from a few rods to one-fourth 



