BOIL SURVEY OF ANOKA COUNTY, MINN. 17 



MIAMI FINE SANDY LOAM. 



The Miami fine sandy loam consists of a gray to dark-gray fine 

 sandy loam, 8 to 18 inches deep, underlain to a depth of 3 feet or 

 more b}^ a pale-brown to gray clay subsoil which becomes more gray 

 in the low-er part and in the substratum. In most places small gravel, 

 cobblestones, and medium-sized bowlders are more or less abundant 

 on the surface and throughout the soil, subsoil, and substratum. 

 Within the 3-foot section they are practicall}^ all of crystalline-rock 

 origin, those of limestone origin probably having been dissolved. 

 In a few places the lower subsoil contains calcareous clay, gravel, and 

 bowlders, and the substratum invariably shows an abundance of 

 calcareous material. 



The Miami fine sandy loam is developed in the southeastern part 

 of Columbus, Centerville, and Fridley Townships. It has a level to 

 gently rolling surface. In places it occupies low, elongated ridges. 

 The surface drainage and underdrainage are on the whole very fa- 

 vorable for crop growth. The surface material is readily absorptive 

 of rainfall, and the clay subsoil is retentive. The soil is easy to till, 

 and warms up early in the spring. 



This is one of the most important soils in the county. About 90 

 per cent of it is in cultivation, the remainder supporting a growth 

 of large oaks included in woodlots and wooded pasture. Corn, oats, 

 tame grasses, and potatoes are the most important crops on this type. 

 Corn is grown to a considerable extent for silage to feed dairy cows, 

 and dairy products are a source of income throughout the year. 

 Hogs are usually raised in connection with dairying, spring- farrowed 

 pigs being marketed in the fall and winter. Oats and hay are grown 

 principally for use on the farm, only the surplus being sold. Pota- 

 toes are usually the last field crop gathered, but only a small propor- 

 tion of the potato crop is kept for winter storage. Rye, wheat, other 

 grains, garden stuffs, and strawberries are grown to some extent for 

 home and local use. Corn yields from 20 to 40 bushels per acre, oats 

 25 to 50 bushels, rye 15 to 30 bushels, and wheat 12 to 25 bushels. 

 Potatoes yield from 50 to 125 bushels per acre. Tame hay, consist- 

 ing largely of clover and timothy, ranges in yield from 1 to 2 tons 

 per acre. 



Land values on this type range from about $60 to over $100 an 

 acre, depending largely upon the state of improvement. Most of the 

 type is very well situated with reference to railway lines and markets. 



The surface soil of the Miami fine sandy loam is sufficiently sandy 

 to be blown into drifts where bare of vegetation. This tendency is 

 largely met by deferring seed-bed preparation until immediately 

 before putting in crops. Grass sod, grain stubble, and potato vines 



