34 



FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1916. 



Tlie following table gives the results of mechanical analyses of 

 samples of the soil, subsurface soil, subsoil, and lower subsoil of the 

 Lucas silt loam: 



Mechanical analyses of Lucas silt loam. 



MAUMEE LO.\MY FINE SAND. 



The Maumee loamy fine sand consists of a black or dark-gray 

 loamy fine sand, ranging from 8 to 16 inches in depth, and underlain 

 by light-gray, loose, incoherent fine sand. The deeper areas may 

 have a slightly heavier subsoil than the typical. In places the subsoil 

 is mottled with yellowish brown and rusty brown. Near Dunnes 

 Bridge a variation of this type is forested with pin oak and blackjack 

 oak, the typical soil being marshy prairie. 



The Maumee loamy fine sand is largely confined to a strip of land 

 within 2 miles of Lake Michigan, with a large area along the Kankakee 

 River in the southeastern part of the county. A few small areas are 

 found in other parts of the Kankakee Basin. 



The type has a smooth, level surface. It was originally marshy 

 and covered with water a part of the year The areas occurring in 

 the northern part of the county are difficult to drain and are wet in 

 rainy seasons. The part of the type around Finns is so near the level 

 of the Kankakee River that dredged ditches do not give sufficient 

 outlet, although they greatly improve the drainage conditions. 



This soil is unimportant in Porter County because of its small 

 extent, rather low natural productiveness, and undeveloped condi- 

 tion. It is estimated that over one-half the type is in forest or 

 marshes, but more is being reclaimed each year. 



Corn and oats are the principal crops, and considerable marsh hay 

 is cut. Some buckwheat is grown on land that is too wet in the spring 

 to put in corn. Cattle are grazed on parts of the type. The average 

 crop yields are somewhat lower than on the Maumee fine sandy loam, 

 although only the best part of the type is farmed. Liming has 

 been found beneficial in some areas, and phosphatic fertilizers usually 

 are profitable on such land. 



The value of undeveloped areas of this type is very low, but 

 improved, cultivated land is held for S75 to $100 an acre. 



The Maumee loamy fine sand is primarily in need of improved 

 drainage, and where drained liming is beneficial. 



