GROUP OF LIGHT SANDS AND FINE SANDS 
43 
low, however, and the soil can only be worked profitably under 
the best methods of soil management.* 
BOONE FINE SAND 
The surface soil of the Boone fine sand consists of a brown to 
yellowish-brown or grayish-brown fine to medium sand extend¬ 
ing to an average depth of about 8 inches. This is underlain by 
a fine sand of a lighter yellow color than the surface, extending 
to a depth considerably below 3 feet. The amount of organic 
matter present is very low. There is some variation in the tex¬ 
ture of both soil and subsoil and portions of the type might be 
classed as medium sand, but as the type is inextensive and as 
the fine sand seemed to predominate it was considered advisable 
to include all of the material in one type. In section 19 and 
vicinity in Manville Township the soil is slightly heavier than 
typical. A portion of it is also somewhat loamy, and as a result 
more productive than the typical soil. 
The largest area of this soil, covering about 3!/2 or 4 square 
miles, occurs in Spring Creek Valley, in T. 24, R. 13. Most of 
the medium sand was found in this region. South of Mondovi 
and along the south side of the Buffalo River wind-blown areas 
occur. A few other patches of small extent are found associated 
with the Boone fine sandy loam in the northern part of the 
county. 
The surface of this type varies from very gently undulating 
to gently rolling. There are a few low ridges and some low sand 
dunes, and where the type borders Rough stony land or other 
types occupying the steep slopes, the surface near the boundary 
frequently has considerable slope. On account of the surface 
features and the loose, open character of both soil and subsoil, 
the natural drainage is excessive and the type is droughty. 
None of the slopes is sufficiently steep to make the prevention of 
erosion an important factor in the management of this soil. 
In origin the Boone fine sand is largely residual, having been 
derived from the weathering of Potsdam sandstone. There is 
but little organic matter present and such a small amount of 
silt and clay that the loose surface material is readily blown by 
the wind, and in a number of places low sand dunes have been 
*For chemical composition and management see page 48. 
