DARK COLORED UPLAND SOILS. 
33 
Land of this type sells for $65 to $90 an acre, depending upon 
such factors as location and improvements. 
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND MANAGEMENT OF DARK COLORED 
UPLAND SOILS 
These dark colored soils are naturally the most fertile soils 
in the area. They are generally well supplied with the essential 
plant food elements and with organic matter which gives them 
their dark color. The total amount of phosphorus in the surface 
8 inches is approximately 1,500 pounds per acre. The total 
potassium is 35,000 pounds, and the nitrogen from 4,500 to 5,500 
pounds per acre 8 inches. Many fields on these soils which have 
been cropped for some time will in all probability be benefited by 
the use of a phosphorus fertilizer in addition to the use of 
manure. 
These soils all show some acidity, although it varies with the 
location and past treatment of particular fields. Where clover 
and alfalfa do not do well the soil should be examined for acid¬ 
ity and if acid an application of 1,500 to 2,000 pounds of ground 
limestone per acre to the sour fields will be found beneficial. 
Lying at lower levels than the upland soils, these soils often 
receive the run-off water from higher land, and level or low spots 
especially need drainage or special methods for taking care of 
storm water. In some cases tile drainage would be beneficial, in 
others surface ditches rightly placed would keep the land dry. 
On account of their level topography and large content of 
organic matter, these soils are especially adapted to corn, hay, 
and other root crops. Grain crops often give large yields, but 
the quality is often not as good as on the lighter colored soils and 
oats and barley often lodge badly on these soils. This character¬ 
istic varies greatly with the character of the season. In case of 
low yields on well drained fields, the use of a phosphate fertilizer 
would hasten the maturity of crops. 
