32 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1916. 



The type occupies a part of the low natural levees along the old chan- 

 nels and therefore lies slightly higher than land farther back. The 

 drainage is naturally good, owing to its elevated position and porous 

 subsoil. Since the extensive drainage system of the Kankakee 

 Basin has lowered the water table several feet, all the Plamfield soils 

 are more subject to drought than formerly. 



While the Plainfleld loam is not extensive in Porter County, it 

 includes some of the better land of the outwash plain, and is largely 

 cultivated. A small part of the type still supports a thi-ifty growth 

 of oak and hickory. The principal crops are corn, oats, hay, and 

 wheat. Cattle and hogs are fed or raised in small numbers on most 

 farms. 



Most of this type is carefully handled. Corn yields 20 to 50 bushels, 

 averaging about 30 bushels per acre. About 30 bushels of oats per 

 acre are obtained. A ton of timothy hay per acre is considered a fair 

 yield. Considerable use is made of manure for improving the type, 

 and clover is grown where a good stand can be obtained. 



The Plainfield loam is held for $75 to $140 an acre, according to 

 improvements, location, and condition of the soil. 



This type is in need of organic matter, which can be supplied by 

 adding manure and growing legumes. Cowpeas and soy beans would 

 be valuable crops. Liming facilitates the growhig of the legumes, 

 especially clover. Thorough cultivation renders the soil more drought 

 resistant. 



LUCAS LOAM. 



The Lucas loam, as mapped in Porter County, is rather variable, 

 and much of it might properly be classed with the Homer series if 

 the bodies of such character were of sufficient extent to warrant 

 separation. In the most typical areas the surface 8 inches is a 

 brownish-gray heavy loam. This is underlain by light yellowish- 

 brown loam, which quickly passes into yellowish-brown, heavy, 

 plastic clay, more or less mottled with gray. Sometimes the light- 

 gray color in the subsoil is very pronounced . Local variations occur, 

 where the texture of the surface soil approaches a fine sandy loam. 

 The type is derived from lake-bed deposits which may have a slight 

 overwash of lighter material where the areas lie near streams issuing 

 from the moraine. 



This type is mapped in scattered areas in the lake plain north of 

 the Valparaiso Moraine, the largest area lying southeast of McCool. 

 The topography is level except where small draws and streams occur. 



The Lucas loam type was originally forested, and the natural 

 drainage was good because of its proximity to streams. In some 

 areas where the surface drainage was imperfect, the subsoil has the 

 characteristics of that of the Homer series. 



