SOIL SURVEY OF WRIGHT COUNTY, IOWA. 37 



WAtUvKSHA LOAM. 



The surface soil of the Waukesha loam is a brown to dark-brown 

 light-textured loam, 14 inches deep. This is underlain by a sandy 

 clay loam which when moist is yellowish broAvn and when dry red- 

 dish brown. Considerable coarse sand, small gravel, and pieces of 

 granite rock are scattered throughout the soil section. Very small 

 pieces of a white rock, resembling limestone, are also present, but 

 negative results were obtained in tests for lime. 



Much assorted gravel is found in tlie lower subsoil, the texture 

 being a gravelly loam to clay loam. This soil diifers from the 

 O'Neill loam in having more clay incorporated with tlie sand and 

 gravel in the suV)Soil and on tliat account being less porous and 

 droughty. 



This type occupies the liiglier benchlike terraces along the lower 

 courses of the Boone River only, and occurs in disconnected areas. 

 The original level surface has been modified by action of the drain- 

 age waters from the adjacent uplands and is now gently undulating 

 to undulating. The coarse material in the soil permits a rapid ab- 

 sorption of rainfall and gives good internal drainage. 



All the tjqDe is under cultivation. The common staple crops are 

 grown, with normal yields comparable to those on the upland types. 

 Because of the loose structure of the soil, crop yields are affected 

 by prolonged droughts, but these are of rare occurrence. Green 

 manures should be used in addition to stable manure to increase the 

 organic-matter content, which is low. 



WAHASII I.OAM. 



The surface soil of the Wabash loam is prevailingly a dark-brown 

 to black friable loam ranging from 15 to 20 inches in depth. The 

 subsoil is usually heavier than the surface soil, being a dark-brown 

 silty clay loam containing some fine and coarse sand. The entire 

 soil section is quite variable, owing to the alluvial origin of the 

 materials. Most of the surface soil is reworked annually during the 

 spring overflows. Consequently, small scattered areas of fine sandy 

 loam containing varying amounts of coarse material are frequently 

 encountered. Bodies of silty clay loam too small to separate are in- 

 cluded with this type. 



The Wabash loam occupies the flood plains of the Boone River, 

 the West Branch of the Iowa, and the Iowa River. Narrow strips 

 are also found along Otter, Eagle, and White Fox Creeks. 



In only a few places is this soil under cultivation. Forest trees 

 are thinly scattered over the flood plains, the growth being heavier 

 close to the stream courses. 



