GROUP OF SANDY SOILS. 
41 
and in improved farm land. Over both of these tracts, the 
surface is level to very slightly undulating. On the slight eleva¬ 
tions, the surface is lighter colored and better drained than the 
lower areas. During wet years there is sometimes an excess of 
moisture, but during dry season, this soil is much better sup¬ 
plied with moisture than the typical Boone fine sand. Because 
of this condition and the presence of clay in deep subsoil, this 
phase is considered to be a better soil than the typical Boone 
fine sand, and one which is capable of being more highly im¬ 
proved. 
PLAINFIELD SAND 
FJxtent and distribution .—The Plainfield sand is located on 
fiat-topped benches or terraces which rise abruptly from the 
Black River, and extend back to the high bluff land on either 
side. In places there are several levels or steps of from fifteen 
to forty feet elevation each up from the river bottom to the 
land of the highest terrace on which the residence portion of 
the city of Black River Falls stands. This terrace level extends 
several miles eastward along Morrison and Levis Creeks and 
narrows again to a narrow bench above Hatfield in Clark county. 
In the southern end of the county, only narrow strips of this 
soil are found in or bordering the river bottom. Narrow strips 
of this soil are found in Trempealeau and Beef River valleys 
also. 
Description .—The typical soil of the Plainfield sand consists 
of a yellowish-brown sand of medium texture extending to an 
average depth of eight to ten inches. The structure of the soil 
is loose and open, and there is present a considerable amount of 
iron, which gives the rusty color and a slight loaminess in places. 
It also carries a small amount of organic matter, but the color 
indicates a higher content than actually exists. A little gravel 
is seen upon the surface in some places, and a small amount of 
fine gravel is mixed with the soil. The subsoil consists of a 
yellow medium sand, which usually becomes coarser in texture 
with increased depth. The subsoil always contains more gravel 
than the surface soil. Where the subsoil contains considerable 
iron, as is the case in spots where the drainage has been im¬ 
peded for any reason, the material has a brownish or sometimes 
a reddish color, but this usually fades as the depth increases. 
