GROUP OF SOILS LACKING GOOD DRAINAGE. 
49 
ported, and deposited by the action of the water, but to what 
extent, it is impossible to say. Under moist conditions, it has 
acquired a black color through the growth and decay of vege¬ 
tation. The whitish color of the subsoil may be due to the 
leaching of organic acids. All of the soil is in a very acid con¬ 
dition at the present time. 
Native vegetation .—The native vegetation consists of Jack 
pine, poplar, sweet fern, common ferns, mosses, blue stem, and 
several species of marsh grass. There is no timber of any value 
on the type at the present time. 
Present agricultural development .—As the type is low, poorly 
drained, and acid, it is not cultivated except in a few places. 
It is devoted chiefly to the production of wild marsh hay and 
to pasture. Where cultivated corn and buckwheat are the crops 
most grown. One farmer reported a yield of forty bushels of 
corn, and 150 bushels of potatoes per acre. Before this type 
can be farmed extensively, it must be drained, properly fertilized 
and limed. 
This soil has low natural fertility, but when properly drained, 
limed and treated with stable manure or phosphate and potash 
fertilizers it can be made to produce good yields of potatoes, 
corn, oats, rye and clover. 
For a discussion of the use of lime and commercial fertilizers 
see pages 71 and 73. 
GENESEE FINE SANDY LOAM 
The Genesee fine sandy loam occupies a large part of the 
bottom lands along the Black River. The soil occupies the same 
level as the Genesee silt loam, but usually lies on slight eleva¬ 
tions from one to four or five feet above the silt loam. The 
soil is quite variable due to its manner of deposit and occasional 
overflow. The surface soil varies from a very fine sand to a 
heavy fine sandy loam or loam. The subsoil is generally more 
sandy than the surface. The color varies also from light brown 
to a chocolate or reddish-brown. 
This soil also is in large part timbered or brush covered bottom 
land, but natural open areas or cleared portions are under cul¬ 
tivation. Generally occupying slightly higher elevations than 
the Genesee silt loam, it is not affected by the smaller floods 
so that during many seasons, portions of this soil can be culti- 
