40 BULLETIN" 142, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



giving an average yield of about 20 bushels per acre. Some sugar 

 beets are planted, producing from 10 to 15 tons per acre of beets of 

 good quality. In southern Wisconsin the binder type of tobacco 

 L- grown on this phase, giving yields of 1,000 to 1,500 pounds per 

 acre. Potatoes are grown chiefly for home use. 



It is a common practice on the deep phase of the Miami silt loam 

 to use a rotation consisting of corn, followed by a small grain, either 

 oats, barley, or wheat, then seeding to timothy and clover. The 

 small grain is sown either one or two years. Hay is usually cut for 

 one or two years, and the land is sometimes pastured for an addi- 

 tional year. The field is then manured and again plowed for corn. 



General farming, consisting mainly of the production of hay and 

 grain, and dairying are the dominant types of agriculture practiced 

 on this phase. Where local market facilities are good the growing of 

 special crops, such as sugar beets, peas, beans, and tobacco, is prac- 

 ticed in conjunction with the production of the more common farm 

 crops. 



The farms on the deep phase of the Miami silt loam are commonly 

 well equipped with buildings, work stock, and machinery, and indi- 

 cate a generally prosperous condition. While farming conditions 

 are fairly good, the average yields produced upon this phase are 

 somewhat below the natural capacity of such a soil. The rather 

 general lack of organic matter in the surface soil should be cor- 

 rected by the use of stable manure and the plowing under of green 

 manuring crops. The use of ground limestone at the rate of 1 ton 

 or more per acre would assist in securing a better stand of clover, 

 and alfalfa can be grown successfully only where such an applica- 

 tion is made. 



The Miami silt loam, in its different phases, is a fairly good general 

 farming soil, suited to the growing of small grains and grass and 

 giving fair to good results with corn. The flat phase is rather poorly 

 drained and yields are generally low in years of excessive rainfall. 

 It is also difficult to secure good yields under drought conditions be- 

 cause of the tendency toward the baking of the surface soil. Under- 

 drainage and the incorporation of large quantities of organic matter 

 will tend to remedy this condition. 



The normal phase of the type is usually sufficiently rolling to have 

 fair natural drainage, although some nearly level areas and many 

 small depressed areas are in need of tiling. The rolling areas of this 

 phase are adapted to a wide range of farm crops and are also better 

 suited than any other part of the type to the growing of home 

 orchards of winter apples and other fruits. The deep phase of the 

 type is generally well drained and somewhat superior to other parts 

 of the type, especially for corn production. 



