82 BULLETIN 141, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



and in some of the areas in New York, notably in Niagara and 

 Jefferson Counties. 



The surface soil of the Clyde fine sandy loam, to an average depth 

 ranging from 9 to 12 inches, is a dark-gray, dark-brown, or almost 

 black fine sand or fine sandy loam. The subsoil is a brown, gray, 

 or yellow fine sandy loam extending to a depth of 2 feet or more, 

 where it frequently overlies a brown or drab clay. Both the soil and 

 subsoil are entirely free from gravel and stone. 



In some of the larger areas where the Clyde fine sandy loam has 

 been encountered, especially in Niagara County, N. Y., and the 

 Saginaw area, Michigan, the surface of the type is slightly undulat- 

 ing to gently rolling in topography, and is billowy in general appear- 

 ance from the occurrence of large numbers of low ridges and narrow 

 depressions between them. There are many level areas even in con- 

 nection with this billowy topography. The Clyde fine sandy loam is 

 frequently found also in the form of long, low, narrow ridges along 

 the margins of the areas where other soils of the Clyde series are 

 extensively developed. It is probable that in the majority of in- 

 stances these low ridge areas represent old beach lines or shallow 

 water deposits where the wind has built up a considerable deposit. 

 In some instances the Clyde fine sandy loam represents areas where 

 streams have flowed into the old glacial lakes and developed low, 

 nearly flat deltas. In all cases there has been more or less wind action 

 in piling up the surface soil. 



The low ridges which occur within the limits of the Clyde fine sandy 

 loam are fairly well drained in their natural condition. The more 

 level areas and the depressions between these ridges are frequently 

 poorly drained. This is true also of the small areas of the Clyde 

 fine sandy loam associated with the other soil types in upland areas. 

 In nearly all instances the better drained portions of the Clyde fine 

 sandy loam show a light-brown or yellow coloration of the surface 

 soil, owing to the fact that not as much organic matter has been de- 

 posited in these locations as in the hollows and depressed areas which 

 have not been as well drained. 



The lower lying portions of the type are not only poorly drained 

 because of their depressed position, but in many instances there is 

 some seepage of water from adjacent, more elevated land areas. All 

 of these depressed areas require artificial drainage to fit them for 

 farming. In fact, in a number of the soil-survey areas where the 

 type has been encountered it is still in timber or is used only for pas- 

 turage or some other extensive form of agricultural occupation. Yet 

 a considerable proportion of the Clyde fine sandy loam is fairly well 

 drained in its natural condition and can be occupied for the produc- 

 tion of general farm crops or for special fruit and market-garden 

 crops. 



