42 MISC. PUBLICATION 4 3 4, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



ered ideal for hardwoods have approximately a 3: 1 ratio of silt to 

 clay, with the silt-plus-clay fraction constituting less than 35 percent. 



If part of the nursery is to be devoted to growing conifer seedlings, 

 the sandier portion is most suitable, preferably where the soil is a 

 light sandy loam or loamy sand, with a silt-plus-clay content between 

 15 and 30 percent. 



Following are a number of reasons why moderately sandy soils are 

 considered better than heavier soils for nursery production: 



They can be worked earlier in the spring and soon after rains or 

 irrigation and require less power in tillage. 



Irrigation is uniform because of rapid and even absorption of water. 



They crust and bake less on the surface, an important consideration 

 during the germination period. 



They absorb a larger percentage of the precipitation, because of 

 decreased water loss through run-off and surface evaporation. 



They are not so apt to get waterlogged under heavy irrigation. 



Salt problems are not usually as serious on sandy as on heavy 

 soils, especially where there is reasonably good underdrainage. 



Sturdier and better balanced plants are obtained and root develop- 

 ment is better, provided the soil is adequately fertile. 



Less damage is incurred by root stripping during the digging. 



Sandy soils are much superior for the heeling-in of stock and, since 

 some growers use a portion of their nursery as an overwinter heel-in 

 ground, this is an additional consideration. 



On the other hand, soils classed as loams or silt loams are preferred 

 by some nurserymen because they have the following advantages over 

 sandy soils: 



Fertility is usually greater and therefore sustained production can 

 be maintained over a longer period without resorting immediately to 

 the more expensive measures for maintaining soil fertility. 



Less difficulty is encountered from soil blowing, and snow-fence 

 windbreaks and other measures employed to protect against this 

 factor are consequently not so essential. 



The soils have greater moisture-retaining ability, thereby reducing 

 moisture losses through percolation below reach of tree roots. A 

 thorough irrigation will remain effective longer on heavier soils. 



There is less likelihood of loss through leaching of soluble commer- 

 cial fertilizers, such as ammonium sulfate and potash. 



Before selecting a nursery site, the grower should determine the 

 availability of detailed soil surveys. These survey maps and reports, 

 published jointly by the United States Department of Agriculture 

 Bureau of Plant Industry (formerly by the then Bureau of Chemistry 

 and Soils) and the State agricultural colleges, are an invaluable aid in 

 locating desirable sites. They are generally published for individual 

 counties and consist of a report of the agricultural possibilities of 

 different soil series and types, and in addition have a fairly detailed 

 soil-type map on the scale of 1 inch to the mile. 



Among the soils best adapted to a hardwood nursery are the 

 moderately sandv to medium-textured soils of the following series: 10 

 Bearden (T), Bridgeport <T), Canadian (T), Cass (B), Hall (T), 

 Lincoln (B), Miles (U), Miller (B), Pratt (U), Reinach (T), Spur (B), 

 Tripp (T), Yahola (B). 



io U = Upland; T = Terrace; B = First bottom or flood plain. 



