KINDS OF SOIL 59 



moves through them more freely. Some clay 

 loams, however, are cold and wet. These soils 

 more than any other type, are benefited by under- 

 drainage. 



The clay loams are suitable for a larger range of 

 cropping than any other soils, except the loams 

 themselves. They are especially valuable for 

 grass, wheat and corn. In handling clay loams 

 attention should be given to the details of manage- 

 ment that are beneficial to clay soils, and espe- 

 cially to underdrainage, judicious plowing and the 

 incorporation of humus. 



LOAM SOILS 



These are the most useful "all around" soils; 

 they combine the lightness and earliness of the 

 sands, with the strength and retentiveness of the 

 clays. Loams contain from 40 to 60 per cent, of 

 sand, and 15 to 25 per cent, of clay. They "work 

 up" easily, do not crust or crack, are well supplied 

 with plant food, and, what is chiefly important, 

 water moves through them freely and still they are 

 not leachy. Practically all farm crops grow, satis- 

 factorily on a loam. It is especially suitable for 

 potatoes, corn, market-gardening crops, and small 

 fruits; but grasses, cereals, clover, alfalfa, and 

 cotton, find it congenial. It requires no special 

 treatment, except such attention to good tillage, 

 drainage, and the addition of humus as is a neces- 

 sary part of the best farm practice everywhere. 



GRAVELLY AND STONY LOAMS 



These are sandy loams, clay loams, or loams 

 with an admixture of gravel or stones ; all pieces of 



