38 
SOIL SURVEY OF BUFFALO COUNTY. 
soil is more subject to drought, and as a whole is less desirable 
for farming. That which is now in timber should be allowed to 
remain so, and where cultivated the most careful methods of 
soil management should be practiced in order that the produc¬ 
tivity may be increased. 
PLAINFIELD FINE SANDY LOAM. 
Description .—The surface soil of the Plainfield fine sandy 
loam to an average depth of about 14 inches consists of a reddish- 
brown heavy fine sandy loam. At about 16 to 20 inches the color 
becomes a lighter reddish-brown fine sandy loam, and this grades 
into stratified yellow fine sand at from 24 to 36 inches. Gravel 
occurs in places in the subsoil of this type south of Mondovi. 
While this is about the normal for the type, there are a number 
of variations, and the texture may range from a heavy fine 
sandy loam to a medium, and in a few places a rather coarse 
loamy sand. Some variations in color also occur, these ranging 
from dark brown to nearly black in places. None of the varia¬ 
tions, however, were of sufficient extent to be indicated on the 
soil map. 
Extent and Distribution .—The largest and most important 
area of this type is a long terrace lying between the bluffs and 
the Mississippi River in the vicinity of Cochrane. This belt 
varies in width from one-half to a mile, parallels the river for a 
distance of 6 or 7 miles, and has an elevation above the flood 
plain of 5 to 20 feet. The texture and organic matter content of 
this area vary somewhat, it being more sandy and of a lighter 
color on the side bordering the river than next to the bluffs. The 
soil occurs also as a narrow belt occupying a terrace bordering 
the Buffalo River in the northeastern part of the county. A few 
smaller tracts are found in various stream valleys throughout the 
county. 
Topography and Drainage .—The Plainfield fine sandy loam is 
a terrace soil and the surface is usually level or slopes gently 
toward the streams along which it occurs. There are a few 
places, however, where the surface is undulating or even gently 
rolling, though such tracts are of small extent. On the whole 
the type has good drainage, but there are a few places where the 
surface is lower than usual and in these there is an excess of 
moisture during part of the year. On the other hand, some of the 
