8 



Among the trees will be found such varieties as the white pine, 

 hemlock, chestnut, sugar maple and white, black, red and pin 

 oaks. If there is turf it will be relatively close, made up of such 

 species as sweet vernal, Kentucky blue grass and white clover. 

 The prevailing color of the flowers will be other than yellow. 

 Violets (not sand or birdfoot) asters and vetches are likely to be 

 found. The surface soil will be comparatively dark in color, indi- 

 cating a good amount of humus, and it will be deep. The sub- 

 soil will be moderately compact and both it and the surface soil 

 will be made up largely of fine particles having a smooth feel to 

 the touch. 



Soils with these characteristics will be suited to most of the 

 crops cultivated in Massachusetts, particularly, com, onions, 

 potatoes, squashes, apples, pears, peaches, currants and straw- 

 berries. 



Characteristics of the Strongest and Best Soils : The 

 soils which contain most active and potential fertility, and which 

 have good capacity to retain moisture usually show some or all 

 of the following characteristics : 



If trees are present, among them the elms, ash, oaks of large 

 size, the beech, walnuts, and red maple are likely to be found. If 

 there be turf it will be close, luxuriant, made up largely in most 

 parts of the state of Kentucky blue grass, fescues and white 

 clover. Vetches, smart weeds and dock are likely to be found. 

 The flowers will be mostly blue. The surface soil will be dark in 

 color and deep, and both it and the sub-soil will be fine in texture, 

 containing, at least, a fair amount of clay and a large proportion 

 of silt. 



Such soils, if the drainage is good, will give satisfactory crops 

 of almost aU kinds. They will be particularly suited for grass, 

 oats, celery and, in general, for crops which thrive best at rela- 

 tively low temperatures, and yvith uniform and abundant supply 

 of moisture. Plums and quinces should do well. Strawberries 

 will thrive if organic matter is abundant. 



The Soils of Our Marshes and Swamps : 



The soils of marshes and swamps exhibit characteristics so 

 different from those of the uplands, to which especially the 

 previous discussion of soil characteristics applies, that a few words 

 in relation to them seem called for : 



The soil in a typical marsh or swamp is usually made up of 

 muck or peat resting upon a compact bottom. The depth of the 

 muck or peat varies from a few inches to many feet. The muck 

 and peat are made up principally of vegetable matter, in a very 

 advanced state of decay in muck, but possessing more of the 

 characteristics of the original plant tissues in peat. These soils 

 are in general very wet. If they can be relieved of surplus water 

 by artificial drainage and well worked to allow aeration they may 

 be made highly productive. Those are of most value which have 

 a considerable admixture of the very finest grades of sand, silt 

 and clay, and with the vegetable matter quire fully decayed. 

 Such soils will be found especially valuable for grass, celery and 

 late potatoes. These soils are usually sour. They are relatively 

 rich in nitrogen, but are likely to need applications of lime and 

 potash. 



