SOIL SURVEY OF LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA. 25 



grayish yellow to light-gray jnottlings increasingly abundant. ]n 

 the area lna])ped just south of the town of Morning Sun, the surface 

 soil is perceptibly heavier than typical, more nearly approaching a 

 silty clay. 



The type occut-s for the most part on the level divides between the 

 Iowa and Skunk Rivers and between the more important creeks. It 

 also occurs at the heads of gently sloping draws (though it is generally 

 of too small extent to be mapped in these positions) and in low-lying, 

 depressed areas, the largest and most typical example of which is in 

 sec. 36, T. 74 N., R. 5 W., in the old Illinoian River channel. The 

 type occurs in areas varying in size from a few acres to several hun- 

 dred acres. The largest area lies about 3 miles southeast of Wyman, 

 the town itself being situated on a slightly smaller area. The type is 

 almost always surrounded by Grundy silt loam. 



Surface drainage is naturally deficient, but draws have cut back to 

 such an extent from the other soil types that an outlet for ditching or 

 tile, with ample fall, is available. In spite of the compact structure 

 and heavy texture of the subsoil, tile drains, when properly spaced, 

 seem to have no difficulty in carrying off the surplus water. 



Although not so extensive as the Grundy silt loam, this type is 

 very important agi'iculturally, being, where well drained, fully as 

 productive and probably having greater inherent fertility. Between 

 85 and 90 per cent is in cultivation, the remainder being in lots and 

 building sites, with a rather small area in pasture. This type is 

 sometimes left in pasture until a tile drain has been installed. It 

 is naturally prairie, none of the areas being forested. Like tiie 

 Grundy silt loam, it is particularly a corn soil, the other important 

 crops being hay, oats, and, on some farms, wheat. On account of 

 the absence of hollows, which makes this type so admirably suited 

 for cultivation, the different branches of live-stock farming are not 

 as well developed as on the Grundy silt loam. 



Corn ranges in yield from 35 to 80 bushels, with an average of 

 about 50 bushels jjcr acre; hay from 1 to 2 tons, with an average of 

 1| tons; oats from 35 to 80 bushels, with an average of about 50 

 I)ushels; and wheat from 8 to 35 bushels, with an average of 20 

 l)ushels. 



Owing to its heavy texture, this soil tends to stick to cultural 

 implements when wet, and if handled in such condition it tends to 

 bake and clod upon drying. Barnyard manure is practically the 

 only fertilizer used. The application of lime, as on other types, is 

 corrJng into more general use. 



This land sells for i$150 to $250 an acre, with an average of about 

 $170. Prices depend upon the improvements and the nearness to 

 towns and transportation lines. 

 186268°— 21 4 



