SOILS, ETC. 129 



underdrained by that means, although they are, as a rale, 

 quite flat. 



The alluvial lands of the valleys of the two great rivers are 

 the most important, but all the valleys of their principal 

 tributaries contain valuable areas of alluvial soil. That of 

 the Missouri river flood-plains partakes largely of the cha- 

 racter of the peculiar bluff soil which borders it ; and that of the 

 flood-plains of those smaller rivers which traverse the region 

 occupied by the Bluff Deposit, is scarcely different in charac- 

 ter from the adjacent upland soil from which it was derived. 



All varieties of Iowa soil are suited to the production of any 

 crop to which our climate is adapted, with perhaps the only 

 exception that winter wheat succeeds best upon alluvial soils, 

 and those which have been reclaimed from the woodlands. 



4. ADAPTABILITY OF IOWA SOILS FOR THE GROWTH 

 OF FOREST TREES. 



Notwithstanding the fact that the distance from the northern 

 to the southern limits of the State is more than three degrees 

 of latitude, in consequence of the slight difference in surface 

 elevation, and the great degree of uniformity in the character 

 of the soil, there is a striking uniformity in the character of 

 the native vegetation ; for the same reasons also, there is an 

 equal uniformity in the adaptability of the soil and climate 

 to the production of cultivated crops. There are indeed many 

 species of indigenous plants that are restricted to certain 

 parts of the State, and others that are found only in habitats, 

 rendered congenial by moisture, dryness, barrenness, unusual 

 fertility, etc., as the case may be ; yet these are only excep- 

 tions to the general uniformity throughout the State, of all 

 indigenous vegetation, including the forest trees. 



The subject of the distribution of indigenous vegetation is a 

 very suggestive and interesting one in all its bearings,* but 



* Nature gives earnest and hopeful promises of future harvests of cultivated fruits 

 in the wonderful profusion of wild grapes, apples, plums, chei'ries, etc., which every 

 year load the indigenous trees and vines. These promises are now being redeemed in 

 full to those who demand their fulfillment in proper form. 



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