30 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1016. 



Plainfield fine sand, rolling please. — In uncultivated areas the 

 rolling phase of the Plainfield fine sand consists of 2 or 3 inches of 

 brown loamy fine sand, overlying yellowish-brown, loose fine sand. 

 In plowed fields the dark surface color usually disappears. 



This soil is mapped in a more or less continuous strip across the 

 northern part of the county and in several irregular areas south of 

 Kouts and near the Kankakee River. 



The topography is ridged and dunelike, and this is the distinguish- 

 ing characteristic of the phase. It ranges from sliglitly billowy to 

 ahnost as rough as tlie dunes along the lake front. The phase is 

 very droughty. 



It is estimated that nearly one-half tlie phase is covered with a 

 rather scrubby growth of oak. There is a scattering of pine north 

 of Furnessville. Some areas are underlain by heavier material, 

 which holds the water comparatively near the surface, and the trees 

 on such areas have a more sturdy appearance. 



The principal crops grown are corn, oats, wheat, and hay. Many 

 farmers are experimenting with special crops, such as cowpeas, 

 cucumbers, tomatoes, and even alfalfa. Some dairy cows and other 

 stock are pastured. 



Although only the better parts of this phase are farmed, the 

 average crop yields are hardly profitable. Some manure is applied, 

 and weeds, stubbles, etc., are commonly plowed under. 



For farming, little of this phase is valued at more than $50 an 

 acre, although much of it is held at higlier prices because of its 

 speculative value as sites for manufacturing plants along the lake 

 front. 



This soil is in need of the same treatment as the Plainfield fine 

 aand, but probably can not be converted into a strong soil. There 

 is a possibility that this and other light sandy soils of the county 

 could successfully be used for the production of huckleberries. 

 These berries grow wild and bear well even on the duneUke hills. 



PLAINFIELD FINE SANDY LOAM. 



The Plainfield fine sandy loam consists of a fine sandy loam to 

 loamy fine sand. It is grayish brown to a depth of 8 to 10 inches, 

 below which it becomes light yellowish brown. At about 20 inches 

 there is a relatively compact stratum of fine sandy loam to clay 

 loam, and this grades into loose, yellowish-brown sand at about 3 

 feet. The loose material also makes up the substratum. This type 

 may grade into the Plainfield fine sand on the one hand, and the Plain- 

 field loam on the other. In some places the surface soil is dark to a 

 depth of several inches. A few low-lying areas have unusually heavy 

 subsoils, slightly mottled with gray and somewhat acid. 



