30 BULLETIN 141, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE". 



seed and fair yields of clover seed are obtained. This is shown in 

 Plate II, figure 1. These constitute the principal general farm 

 crops produced upon the type. 



The Clyde sandy loam where properly drained also constitutes an 

 excellent soil for the production of Irish potatoes. The late or 

 staple crops are principally grown, although near good markets an 

 early market-garden crop is also produced. The yields range from 

 80 to 150 bushels per acre under normal conditions, but yields in 

 excess of 200 bushels per acre are reported. Beans constitute an- 

 other special crop extensively grown in the Michigan areas upon 

 the Clyde sandy loam. Wherever the type is well drained, either 

 naturally or artificially, good yields of beans are produced, ranging 

 from 12 to 25 bushels per acre. Sugar beets are another crop which 

 is grown to fair advantage upon the Clyde sandy loam. The yields 

 range from 7 to 15 tons per acre, with an average of about 10 tons. 

 Wheat, barley, and alfalfa are all grown to a small extent upon this 

 soil type. Alfalfa may only be grown where artificial underdrain- 

 age has been installed. Otherwise the crop is likely to make a 

 good stand for one or two years and then, when the tap root of the 

 alfalfa reaches the poorly drained subsoil, difficulty is experienced 

 in maintaining a stand. 



The use of the Clyde sandy loam for the production of special 

 crops has not been extensively undertaken, except in the case of beans, 

 sugar beets, and potatoes. The type is also well adapted by its 

 physical characteristics and its drainage conditions to the produc- 

 tion of onions, cabbage, celery, beets, and turnips as market-garden 

 crops. Locally tomatoes have also been grown to advantage, giv- 

 ing returns approximating $100 per acre. It is probable that, as the 

 markets are developed and transportation facilities are extended 

 large areas of the Clyde sandy loam, wherever it is found, will be 

 utilized for special crop production in conjunction with general 

 farming over the remainder of the type. 



The better drained areas of the Clyde sandy loam in both the 

 Alma area and the Saginaw areas in Michigan are particularly well 

 suited to the growing of certain orchard fruits. For quinces, pears, 

 and plums there is probably no better soil type in the areas men- 

 tioned. Many varieties of apples are fairly well suited to produc- 

 tion upon the higher lying and naturally better drained portions of 

 the type. Strawberries and the cane fruits may also be grown. 



In all cases the Clyde sandy loam would be considerably benefited 

 by the installation of additional tile underdrainage. In fact, imper- 

 fect drainage in the lower lying and depressed portions of the type 

 constitutes the chief difficulty in producing large crop yields. It is 

 a condition which must be remedied before the more intensive forms 



