Soil Conservation Service 



The removal of stones on glacial upland soils is often an economic practice. 



atively stone-free condition is true of the surface soil only, and is the re- 

 sult of stone clearing activities carried on by generations of farmers. The 

 soil material is still stony below plow depth. 



Most of the soils on glacial till are classified as fine sandy loams and 

 loams, although small acreages of sandy loam and silt loam soils have been 

 mapped. All of them are easily plowed and cultivated where they are not too 

 stony or wet. The sandy loam areas, usually found on granitic materials, 

 are inclined to be droughty, but the fine sandy loams and loams contain 

 enough fine particles of silt and clay to retain moisture for plant use and 

 to hold nutrients against excessive loss by leaching. The sandy loams and 

 loams are open enough to permit excess water to move through them readily, 

 so most of them are classified as well drained. The soils formed on schist 

 materials in most places are loams and are considered better agricultural 

 soils. 



There is considerable acreage of glacial till soils that are underlain 

 by a compact, hard layer which restricts the downward movement of water 

 and makes them less subject to drought. These soils occur frequently on long, 

 low ridges. 



The glacial soils are not naturally highly fertile, but they provide con- 

 ditions under which the ordinary farm crops respond readily to applications 

 of commercial fertilizers. The soils are low in phosphorus and available 

 potash, and legumes may require the addition of a little boron. Many of the 

 soils from schist appear to contain a little more lime than those from 

 granite, but all of the glacial till soils are acid enough to require the addi- 

 tion of lime for clover and alfalfa. The magnesium content is low enough 

 that dolomitic (magnesium) limestone is usually recommended in prefer- 

 ence to calcic limestone. 



All of the commonly grown crops in the State, including fruit, vege- 

 tables, potatoes, corn, small grains, grasses and clovers, do well on these 

 soils except where poor drainage or droughtiness interferes. Softwood trees 

 grow well and so do the hardwoods. For these reasons, it is sometimes 

 difficult to maintain pure softwood stands. 



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