18 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1916. 



grass and affords good grazing, but not as good as the heavier soils. 

 The land under present conditions is vahied at $5 to $10 an acre for 

 pasture. 



A loamy variation of this type is widely distributed throughout the 

 upland of the county, occurring principally in areas of 4 to 300 acres 

 extent. This variation occupies the tops and slopes of the numerous 

 isolated buttes, but occurs principally on the steep slopes or bluffs 

 inclosing the valleys of draws and on the rims of the small basins 

 which are a feature of the plains topography. 



This variation is not cultivated, and because of the coarse gravelly 

 character and droughty nature of the soil, it is not regarded as suit- 

 able for farming in this region. The growth of native grasses is less 

 luxuriant than on the silt loam type. Bunch grass is more abundant 

 than on other soils, and the growth of yucca in Kimball County is con- 

 fined mainly to this type. 



SIDNEY FINE SANDY LOAM. 



The Sidney fine sandy loam is a light-brown soil containing a high 

 percentage of fine and very fine sand and possessing a loose, friable 

 structure. The color becomes lighter with depth, and the soil ap- 

 parently^ contains but little organic matter below 12 to 18 inches. 

 The subsoil is grajdsh, friable or meal}^, highly calcareous, and other- 

 wise conforms to the characteristics of the Sidney series. 



This type is found principally on the slopes above the bench land 

 in the Lodgepole Valley, but also occurs in smaller areas on the table- 

 land in association with the gravelly sandy loam type. The soil in 

 places is partly colluvial in origin, the surface consisting principally 

 of fine and very fine sand washed down from adjacent slopes occupied 

 by sandy soils. 



The type occurs on slopes or is characterized by a moderately roll- 

 ing topography, allowing a relatively rapid run-off of rainfall, so that 

 conditions are not altogether favorable for the retention of moisture. 

 The land, however, is not gullied or eroded and has a topography 

 favorable for farming. 



Onlj^ a very small part of this type has been brought under cultiva- 

 tion. The soil does not withstand drought quite so well as the heavier 

 soils and more nearly level lands, and since the surface soil is less co- 

 herent, it is a little more subject to drifting. However, under favor- 

 able conditions of rainfall fair yields of wheat and other crops grown 

 in the county are obtained. 



The land at present is valued chiefly for grazing. It supports a 

 good growth of the common native grasses and is capable of main- 

 taining a larger number of live stock than the gravelly sandy loam 

 tvpe. 



