SOIL SURVEY OF PORTER COUNTY, INDIANA. 31 



This type is found in a number of areas on the Kankakee Phiin, 

 the most typical of which occur in the vicinity of Kouts. Areas 

 are mapped at Chesterton and 2 miles northeast of Burdick, where 

 sandy delta deposits were laid down in the bay of glacial Lake 

 Chicago. 



The topography is level, though slightly ridged and elevated where 

 the type occupies the natural levees of glacial outwash channels. 

 The type is well drained and sometimes droughty, because of the loose 

 sandy nature of both soil and subsoil. 



Tlie Plainficld fine sandy loam has a relatively small total area in 

 Porter County, but was one of the first soils brought under cultivation 

 in the Kankakee Basin. Only a small part of it is forested, the timber 

 consisting of good-sized oak and some hickory. 



Like the Plainfield loam, this type is used for general farming, 

 which includes the production ol corn, oats, hay, and wheat, the raising 

 of some hogs, and fattening steers. Crop yields depend largely upon 

 the way the soil is handled. Wlierc it has been carefully cultivated, 

 manured, and used for growing clover, yields of 25 to 30 bushels of 

 corn per acre and about the same yiield of oats are obtained, with 

 much better yields in particularly favorable seasons. Timothy and 

 clover produce about 1 ton of hay per acre. 



The selling price of this soil is about equal to that of the Plainficld 

 loam. 



The productiveness of the Plainfield fine sandy loam could be in- 

 creased on many farms by adding organic matter to the soil. Where 

 other conditions are favorable, dairymg and feeding operations are 

 beneficial, owing to the manure produced. Wliere it is difficult to 

 grow clover, cowpeas may be grown. This crop may be sown broad- 

 cast and cut for hay or pastured and turned under, or it may be 

 planted in rows and harvested for the seed or for hay. Where acid- 

 mdicating plants, such as dewberries, cinquefoil, and sorrel, are 

 plentiful, liming should prove beneficial. 



PLAINFIELD LOAM. 



The Plamfield loam consists of 8 or 10 inches of light grayish brown 

 loam to heavy fuie sandy loam, underlain by a light yellowish brown 

 loam or fine sandy loam which passes into loose sand at about 30 

 inches. In some spots the subsoil is a clay loam, slightly mottled 

 with gray and brown. The substratum consists of a deep deposit of 

 loose sand and gravel. 



Most of this type is included in several areas in the northern and 

 higher part of the outwash plain. Some of the largest areas are near 

 Maiden and north of Liberty View. 



The surface is flat and level except for the general southward slope 

 of the outwash plain and the iiTcgular slopes along old glacial channels. 



