46 SOIL SURVEY OF BUFFALO COUNTY . 
The soil in Spring Creek Valley is somewhat coarser in texture 
than typical. In the vicinity of Waumandee there is also a 
small amount of this soil, and here the type is better than the 
average, having a finer texture and containing enough silt arid 
clay to make it slightly loamy. 
Generally the surface of the type is level or slopes gently 
toward the streams. In a few places there is a billowy topog¬ 
raphy, and small undulations are common. These, are doubt¬ 
less due to the action of the wind. On account of the loose, open 
structure of the material, the natural drainage is excessive. 
There are some portions of the type where erosion has cut rather 
deep channels, especially on the gently sloping terraces in Little 
Bear Valley. 
Areas of this type occur within valleys of streams which head 
within the driftless region, and there is no glacial material, even 
in the stratified subsoil. The sand was doubtless derived from 
Potsdam sandstone and later carried down the slopes by the ac¬ 
tion of water and deposited by stream action when the volume 
of water was much greater than it is at present, and when the 
streams were running at a much higher level. 
The original growth on the Plainfield fine sand consisted 
chiefly of a few scattering scrub oak and some prairie grass. 
A relatively large proportion of this soil is under cultivation, 
but it is doubtful if the average crop is profitable under present 
conditions of farming. Corn is grown to some extent, but the 
yields are low. Probably the average is not over 15 bushels per 
acre. During dry years the crops usually fail. Rye, which is 
grown more extensively than other small grains, usually yields 
about 8 to 12 bushels per acre. Buckwheat yields 10 to 12 bush¬ 
els per acre. Clover and the grasses do not thrive and the pas¬ 
turage is of little value except early in the season. Potatoes are 
of fairly good quality, but yields are small. This type is low in 
organic matter, and in order that farming operations may be 
profitable the most careful methods of soil and farm management 
are necessary.* 
Land of this type sells for $10 to $20 an acre. Farm buildings 
are usually inferior and fences and other improvements in poor 
condition. 
*For chemical composition and management of this soil see page 48. 
