SOIL SURVEY OF WRIGHT COUNTY, IOWA. 31 



Grain farming is mostly practiced where this type is well drained. 

 The soil is particularly adaj)ted to corn because of the high humus 

 content. Early-maturing varieties are desirable, the growing season 

 being shorter than on higher lying and better drained tyi^es. Short- 

 st rawed varieties of oats are preferred, as they are less likely to 

 lodge. 



Corn yields xnry greatly on this type, depending on the seasonal 

 conditions, extent of drainage, and care given the crop. The yields 

 range from 25 to 70 bushels per acre. Oats yield from 25 to 50 

 bushels, and hay from 1 to 2| tons per acre. Sugar beets are grown 

 in many places where the surface has a shallow loamy covering. 

 They yield from 10 to 15 tons per acre. 



The Webster silty clay loam is generally associated in the farms 

 with the Carrington and Clarion types or the Webster loam. It 

 brings about the same prices as the Webster loam. The untiled and 

 undrained areas, where there is a possibility of drainage, sell for 

 much lower prices, ranging from $150 to $225 an acre. 



The most important factor in the improvement of this land is 

 drainage. Deeper fall plowing and generous applications of barn- 

 yard manure will greatly improve the physical condition and tilth 

 of the soil. 



Narrow strips of land containing a concentration of salts, mostly 

 calcium carbonate, occur in some depressions in this type, along the 

 margins of Muck and Peat beds and the edges of areas formerly 

 ponded. Corn and oats usually fail on these patches, while other 

 crops are not seriously affected or may even thrive. This alkali con- 

 dition can be remedied by thorough drainage. Stover and straw are 

 beneficial when ploAved under deeply, and heavy applications of 

 barnyard manure markedly improve the affected areas. 



CLARION LOAM. 



The Clarion loam in its principal characteristics represents a 

 transition between the Carrington loam and the Webster loam. The 

 local variations in the type itself are due to the different conditions 

 of drainage under which the soil has been developed. In low or 

 nearly flat areas, where little aeration or oxidation could take place, 

 but where conditions were favorable for the accumulation of organic 

 matter, the type has a black soil, 12 to 20 inches deep, underlain 

 by a gray, highly calcareous subsoil, and the soil profile approaches 

 that of the Webster loam. Occasional iron stains and nuuiorous 

 lime concretions are found in the lower subsoil. On the higher, 

 gently rolling areas, where drainage has been better, the surface soil 

 has a dark-brown color and is shallower, ranging from 6 to 12 inches. 

 The upper subsoil is a dark -brown clay loam, which passes gradually 



