THE MIAMI SERIES OF SOILS. 51 



largely for the production of early spring lambs, although the wool 

 clip constitutes an important source of revenue in many areas where 

 this type has been encountered. Not as many sheep are kept within 

 this general region as in the early days of wool production, but the 

 number now maintained is steadily increasing with the increased 

 price of spring lamb. 



It is wholly impossible properly to till the Miami clay loam with 

 light-weight farm teams or light tools. This is thoroughly recog- 

 nized throughout practically all areas where the type occurs, and as 

 a result the heavy two-horse teams and the more powerful forms of 

 farm machinery are in common use. With these teams and imple- 

 ments deep plowing of the surface soil is possible, and thorough 

 harrowing and tillage of the type can be conducted at later stages. 

 The use of heavy teams and improved machinery is shown in Plate 

 XIII, figure 1. A large part of the crops grown is planted or sown 

 by the use of the two-horse corn planter or the large-size grain drill 

 with fertilizer and seeder attachments. Disk harrows and riding 

 cultivators are also used extensively. The farm equipment is usually 

 adequate and substantial. 



Because of the general practice of some form of stock raising 

 within the territory occupied by the Miami clay loam, the farm 

 buildings are large and substantial and the region is marked by 

 well-painted houses, large and well-constructed hay and dairy barns, 

 and in some sections by the necessary equipment of well-built tobacco 

 barns. Not infrequently the farms on this type also possess the 

 requisite equipment for the manufacture of maple sugar or sirup 

 from the groves of sugar maples remaining in many areas. In gen- 

 eral the teams, implements, and buildings upon the Miami clay loam 

 give the appearance of a well stocked, adequately equipped, and well 

 cared for farming territory. Typical farm buildings on the Miami 

 clay loam in western Ohio are shown in Plate XIII, figure 2. 



CROP USES AND ADAPTATIONS. 



The soils of the Miami series are principally developed in the 

 humid portion of the northern temperate region. Within the ter- 

 ritory occupied by these soils the average annual precipitation ranges 

 from slightly in excess of 40 inches in southern Ohio and Indiana to 

 a little more than 30 inches in northern Michigan and Wisconsin. 

 Over the greater part of the region it amounts to more than 32 

 inches, and in some localities exceeds 40 inches. Throughout the 

 greater part of this area the precipitation is well distributed for 

 crop production, since a large part of it occurs during the growing 

 season. 



