6 BULLETIN 659, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTU RE. 



SOILS. 



The. 13 soil types found in Ellis County vary from fine sand to 

 stiff clay. Most of these soils are, derived from marls and chalky 

 limestones. The geological formations known as the Taylor Marl 

 and Austin Chalk are the sources from which the Houston black 

 clay is derived. The farms studied in this analysis are practically 

 all located on this soil type (see map, fig. 2), and consequently a 

 somewhat detailed description of this type is given. 



The Houston black clay occupies more than one-third of Ellis 

 County. The surface soil, to a depth of 10 inches, is very heavy, 



^\ — <), 



SOIL MAP 



U. S. BUREAU OF SOILS 



E3 Houston blach cloy "Blach land. " 

 □ IZ soil types other than "Black land. * 

 • Location of farms* where records, were rahen. 



Fig. 2. — Map of Ellis County, showing soils and location of farms studied. 



tenacious black clay. The subsoil has practically the same charac- 

 teristics as the soil, although it is a littleTighter in color, owing to 

 a smaller percentage of organic matter. 



The type is locally known as '"black land." When dry and well 

 cultivated it is very friable and easily worked. When plowed too 

 wet it forms clods, but after they have been exposed to the weather 

 for some time they break down to a certain degree and the soil can 

 be put into good mechanical condition again by means of a light 

 harrow. If not tilled the soil cracks badly in dry weather; some- 

 times the cracks are several inches wide and several feet in depth. 



