SOIL SURVEY OF WRIGHT COUNTY, IOWA. 27 



have been formed by erosion. The areas of this type vary consider- 

 ably in elevation, but lie hio^her than any other soils in the county 

 except the Clarion loam east of Clarion. 



Nearly all this type is under cultivation. The rougher and more 

 rolling areas adjacent to the streams are usually kept in grass. 

 Forest areas are confined to narrow slopes along watercourses and 

 are not extensive. 



This soil type does not contain as much organic matter as the 

 black Webster soils, but has better natural drainage, is very pro- 

 ductive, and is one of the most desirable types in the county for 

 general farming. The soil is mellow, easily worked, and warms up 

 early in the spring. It has excellent moisture-holding capacity. 

 Only small parts of the type on the more sandy knolls are affected 

 by drought. 



The usual staple farm crops do well on this type. Wheat growing 

 in the county is largely confined to this soil. Raising and feeding of 

 beef cattle and hogs is carried on extensively, and some horses and 

 sheep are raised for sale. Most of the apples and other fruits raised 

 are produced on this type. 



The crop yields are comparable with those on the Webster soils. 

 The corn crop may be somewhat lighter in dry years but Avill outyield 

 the soils in the flatter areas in wet seasons. AMieat yields 15 to 30 

 bushels, with an average of about 20 bushels per acre. Spring wheat 

 is grown almost exclusively. Small grains mature from 5 to 10 

 days earlier than on the heavier prairie soils. 



Barnyard manure is applied on corn land. Some green-manure 

 crops are turned under to help maintain the organic matter supply. 

 Little commercial fertilizer is used. 



The surface soil over the greater part of the Carrington loam is 

 acid. Applications of limestone would be beneficial, particularly 

 to clover land. Deeper plowing and more frequent raising and turn- 

 ing under of leguminous crops to supplement the organic matter ob- 

 tained' from the application of barnyard manures would increase the 

 productivity of these soils. 



The land values on the Carrington loam range from $175 to $300 an 

 acre, depending on location, improvements, and general condition of 

 the farm. 



WEBSTER LOAM. 



The surface soil of the Webster loam is a black, friable, heavy loam 

 from 10 to 16 inches deep. The subsoil to 20 to 22 inches is a very 

 dark brown to black plastic loam, and below this a yellowish-brown, 

 crumbly silty clay loam, highly mottled with yellow and olive gray. 

 The subsoil is strongly calcareous and contains many lime nodules. 

 It is very heavy and plastic, but is gritty in the lowest depths, where 



