THE SELECTION OF A FARM HOME 93 



ysis of the soil and subsoil, it should never be neglected. 

 In many cases upturned stumps show the quality of the 

 subsoil, and burrowing animals may have brought to the 

 surface the deeper earth. The experienced land judge 

 has many ways in which to determine the quality of the 

 soil. The person who will make an earnest effort can 

 find many ways of judging the fertility, the water-holding 

 power, and the wearing ability of a soil. Growing crops 

 tell their story, though the kind of season must be taken 

 into consideration. Sandy lands may have large crops 

 during a moist year, partly because drouth for a few 

 previous seasons may have so prevented the growth of 

 crops that there are unusually favorable conditions for 

 plant growth, resulting in an exceptionally large crop. 

 The testimony of residents on adjoining lands is of the 

 greatest value, especially if the home seeker knows how 

 to draw out and weigh information. 



One need not depend upon the appearance of the cul- 

 tivated grasses and clovers alone, but can find out much 

 about the soil by the native plants. Land which pro- 

 duces a thick crop of large weeds, either native or intro- 

 duced, gives evidence of strength and crop-producing 

 power. In timber sections trees are much used as an 

 index to the character of the soil. Thus, in the North, 

 jack pine grows on very sandy land, Norway pine on 

 land usually not quite so sandy, white pine on still 

 stronger sandy loam and on mixed soils. 



Some kinds of oak, in a given region, will be found to 

 grow on sandy land, other kinds only on strong soil of 

 mixed sand and clay. Sugar maples and some other 

 deciduous trees grow only on the strong mixed soils. 

 Where soil surveys have been made by the Bureau of 

 Soils of the United States Department of Agriculture, 

 or by a state department or experiment station, the soil 

 maps showing the areas of soils of different classes will 

 be found valuable aids in selecting a farm. 



