BULLETIN OF THE 



No. 142 



Contribution from the Bureau of Soils, Milton Whitney, Chief 

 December 29, 1914. 



THE MIAMI SERIES OF SOILS. 



By J. A. Bonsteel, Scientist in the Soil Survey. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The Miami series comprises an important group of soils which are 

 distinguished by prevailing brown, light-brown, or gray surface soils 

 and yellowish-brown or darker brown subsoils. In the heavier mem- 

 bers of the series, especially where the natural drainage is not com- 

 plete, the deeper subsoils are mottled with shades of brown and 

 gray. 



The topography of the different members of the series ranges from 

 nearly level or only gently undulating to more rolling and ridged. 

 Locally, sharply sloping ridges and small areas in which erosion has 

 developed a choppy surface are encountered. By far the greater 

 part of the area occupied by the important types of the series is 

 best described as gently undulating to moderately rolling. 



The natural drainage over a large part of the territory occupied 

 by this series is fair to good. In the more nearly level tracts, par- 

 ticularly of the heavier soils, artificial underdrainage is highly 

 beneficial. 



In its original condition practically the entire extent of territory 

 occupied by the soils of this series was heavily forested with hard- 

 woods. Beech was the dominant growth on the more nearly level 

 tracts, while sugar maple was most commonly found in the more 

 rolling and better drained areas. Associated with these trees were 

 walnut, several species of oak, basswood, and elm and ash, the two 

 latter in areas where drainage was markedly deficient. 



The soils of the Miami series are all derived from a thick sheet 

 of glacial drift which covers the general region of their occurrence, 

 extending to depths varying from a few feet to more than 350 feet. 



The deeper subsoils of the Miami series are generally calcareous 

 to a varying degree, but it is a common characteristic of practically 

 all of the surface soils that they are lacking in lime, and their agricul- 

 tural value is generally increased by the addition of this material. 



Note. — This bulletin is of interest to those engaged or desirous of engaging in farming 

 in the North Central States. 



55813°— Bull. 142—14 1 



