26 FIELD OPEEATIOXS OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1916. 



The Buckner loamy fine sand is developed on narrow, discon- 

 nected terraces along the Rum and Mississippi Rivers. Tliese ter- 

 rances are frequently spoken of as bottom lands, and lie only 2 to 10 

 feet above the stream, but they are almost entirely above the reach 

 of overflows. 



The surface varies from level to gently undulating, and in most 

 places drainage is good. On the Avhole this type seems to be less 

 susceptible to drought than the Merrimac loamy sand, probably be- 

 cause of its lower position and higher ground-water level. 



The native vegetation on this soil consisted of large oak, soft maple, 

 and box elder, with some willow and poplar and an undergrowth of 

 briers, vines, and wild grass. A very large proportion of the type is 

 in cultivation, principally to corn, oats, potatoes, and hay crops, 

 including clover. The type is farmed in practically the same way 

 as the Merrimac loamy fine sand. Yields probably average a little 

 higher. Land values range from $50 to $100 an acre. 



To a depth of 10 to 12 inches the typical Peat consists of a brown 

 to black, spongy, more or less resistant mass of partly decayed roots, 

 stems, and other vegetable remains, intermixed with more finely 

 divided and more thoroughly decomposed peaty matter. The under- 

 lying material to a depth of 3 to 10 feet or more is uniformly more 

 dark in color, and is composed of more finely divided vegetable 

 matter, resting on a substratum of grayish fine sand, or in places 

 of marl or calcareous deposits.^ 



Peat is an extensive type. It occurs throughout the county in 

 areas ranging in size from a few to several thousand acres. The 

 largest developments are encountered in the eastern half of the 

 county. 



The surface of the tj^pe is flat or nearly flat. Some areas show 

 a slight slope in the direction of the natural drainage. The Peat is 

 prevailingly poorly drained. Considerable ditching has been done, 

 but much sj^stematic work is necessary before the land can be used for 

 farming. Much of the former ditching was done at the heads of the 

 natural drainage wavs, or even above their sources, with the result 

 that the channels were unable to carr}' off the extra volume of water, 

 and large areas of Peat along the lower courses were flooded. Some 

 of this inundated land had formerly been used for hay production. 

 At the present time steps are being taken to deepen the natural drain- 

 age channels and to dig largo, deep main ditches through the larger 

 Peat areas to be connected with laterals. A State law provides that 

 check dams may be placed in ditches when these will cause no injury 



' Tests made by the Division of Soils, I'niveisily of Minnesota. 



