SOIL SURVEY OF ANOKA COUNTY, MINN. 23 



black. In some areas the surface soil contains pebbles and small 

 gravel, and these are more uniformly present in the subsoil, some- 

 times in stratified layers. The substratum often contains alternating 

 stratified layers of clean sand, heavy-textured material, and gravel 

 beds of varying thickness. The soil to depths of 3 to 8 feet or more 

 is not highly calcareous. In excavations west of St. Francis and near 

 Anoka the material at depths of 8 to 15 feet, consisting of gravel and 

 sand, is to a fairly large extent calcareous, and calcareous material 

 probably exists in the lower substratum throughout much of the 

 type. 



The Merrimac loamy sand occurs quite extensively in the western 

 part of the sand-plain division of the county. It is also developed in 

 narrow strips on the terraces along the Mississippi River. The type 

 is characterized by a rather level to gently rolling surface. It occurs 

 mainly in large areas which contain depressions of various depths 

 often filled with peaty accumulations. The type lies usually several 

 feet above normal stream levels. Along the streams and around de- 

 pressions some rather steep slopes occur. 



The type is naturally well drained, but fairl}- retentive of moisture. 

 As a whole the type is somewhat more susceptible to drought than the 

 Merrimac loamy fine sand, but in seasons of normal rainfall there 

 is no apparent difference bat ween the two types so far as the supply 

 of moisture for crops is concerned. The higher average level of the 

 Merrimac loamy sand above streams and peat-land depressions may 

 be in part responsible for its greater susceptibility to drought. 



The Merrimac loamy sand covers 15 per cent of the area of the 

 county or about one-half the area occupied by the -Merrimac loamy fine 

 sand. It is slightly inferior to the latter soil in productiveness, 

 but is nevertheless under the climatic conditions of this region a 

 reasonably good agricultural soil. About 80 per cent of its area is 

 in cultivation. Little if any of the type in the southwestern part 

 of the county has ever been forested; its original vegetation con- 

 sisted of brush and various grasses and legumes. This part of the 

 type is still locally known as prairie. In the north-central part of 

 the county the type supported a heavy forest of oak and other trees 

 similar to those on the Merrimac loamy fine sand. The remnants 

 of this forest are now confined largely to woodlots. 



Corn, oats, hay, and potatoes are the most important crops on this 

 soil. A large part of the farm products is fed to dairy, besf or 

 work animals. Potatoes are the principal money crop. A small 

 surplus of corn, oats, and hay is sold. Hogs, calves, and steers are 

 raised in connection with dairying. Rye, wheat, other small grains, 

 vegetables, and strawberries are grown for home and local use. The 

 average yield of corn ranges in different years from 20 to 50 bushels 



