111 The Agricultural Economy of the American Bottoms 
depends not only on flood control of the Mississippi River, but also on 
flood control of upland waters and on the rapid disposal of excess pre- 
cipitation on the flood plain. Scarcely a year passes without hundreds 
of acres lying fallow because of excess water at the time when the ground 
should have been plowed or seeded. On many farms in any year the 
effects of dry spots and wet spots are reflected in variable yields. As 
already noted, swamps and lakes withhold large areas from any agn- 
cultural use. 
Ground water—Underlying the surface soils the alluvial deposits, 
which reach depths in excess of one hundred feet, are composed pre- 
dominantly of porous sands. Studies made to discover the best location 
for deep wells to serve the upland city of Edwardsville indicate that 
there is a pronounced movement of underground water from the up- 
lands toward the Mississippi River.1 On many farms an ample domestic 
supply of water is secured merely by driving a screened pipe into the 
ground to a depth of ten or fifteen feet. 
Large areas are cultivable only because of rapid under-ground drain- 
age. Moreover, a recession of the water table caused by (a) a cycle 
of relatively dry years, (b) drainage improvements to facilitate surface 
movements of water, and (c) heavy withdrawals of ground water for 
urban and industrial uses, has extended substantially the cultivable 
areas. 
Seldom are excellent yields secured on well-drained land and poorly- 
drained land during the same season. If there is an abundance of well- 
distributed precipitation, the well-drained soils yield the more heavily 
during a protracted summer drought. However, as in 1933, corn on 
well-drained land may be almost a complete loss while corn on poorly- 
drained land may yield heavily. Improved drainage has lessened the 
ability of some areas to withstand droughts but has brought under 
cultivation areas which are favored by seasons of scanty rainfall. 
Soils—Farmers of the American Bottoms refer only to three types 
of soils, viz: (a) clays or gumbo, (b) loams, and (c) sandy soils or sands. 
The clays are characteristic of low, poorly-drained areas or areas which 
formerly were inadequately drained. The sands are located chiefly 0” 
Bille. statements of officers of the Edwardsville Water Company, Edwardsville, 
