SOIL SURVEY OF PORTER COUNTY, INDIANA. 29 



dairy and live-stock industries are not so important as on the "clay" 

 lands. Corn and oats average about 40 bushels per acre and are less 

 subject to injury in wet seasons than on types with dense clay sub- 

 soils. Timothy, or timothy and clover mixed, yields about 1^ tons 

 of hay per acre. 



Farms on this type are handled under the usual grain-farming sys- 

 tem. The farmers depend on the use of barnyard manure and the 

 growing of clover for maintaining the productiveness of the land. 



Most of tliis type is well located and well improved. The average 

 value is somewhat over $150 an acre. 



PLAINFIELD FINE SAND. 



The Plainfield fine sand consists of a light grayish brown, loamy 

 fine sand 6 or 8 inches deep, underlain by light yellowish brown 

 loamy fine sand to loose fine sand, which usually extends to con- 

 siderable depths without change. 



Tliis type occurs most extensively near Kouts and Baums Bridge, 

 and from McCool westward to Lake County. A few areas are found 

 near Montdale and Clanricarde and in other parts of the county. 



The topography is flat and smooth to slightly ridged and billowy 

 where the wind has shifted the surface material to some extent. On 

 account of its comparatively elevated position above tJie water table 

 in the Kankakee Basin and the loose character of the soil material, 

 the type is somewhat droughty. This tendency has been increased 

 by the extensive drainage operations of recent years. 



The importance of this type has been decreased since the black 

 marsh lands have been drained and prepared for cultivation. Possi- 

 bly 15 or 20 per cent of the type is forested, chiefly with red, black, 

 and pin oak and some hickory. In general the trees are larger 

 and more thrifty than those on the extensive areas of this type in 

 Starke County. 



Corn, oats, wheat, and hay are the most important crops. Dairy- 

 ing and other stock industries are relatively unimportant. The 

 better part of the type produces yields approximately equal to 

 those obtained on the Plainfield fine sandy loam, but crops on the 

 loose, droughty, and slightly drifted areas do not do so well. Usually 

 all the available manure is applied to the fields, and some commer- 

 cial fertiUzer is used for corn and wheat. 



Tlie value of this land ranges from about $40 to over $100 an acre, 

 according to the productiveness of the soil and its location. 



This type requires the same treatment as the Plainfield fine sandy 

 loam. The production of cowpeas, both for the seed and for soil 

 improvement, has been found profitable, and much of the land 

 would be benefited by light applications of lime. 



