MISCELLANEOUS SOILS. 
59 
otherwise be well adapted, is limited in this section on account 
of the danger from frost, the best staple crops for this land 
are grasses for hay and pasture, hardy root crops, and rye, and 
to a less extent oats. When properly fertilized and limed, 
clover, alfalfa, and other legumes can also be grown. On fairly 
well drained marsh land well decomposed good pasture can also 
be developed. The compacting of the soil resulting from the 
use of this land as pasture is also a great benefit to it. When 
peat land is placed under cultivation a heavy roller should 
be classed along with implements necessary to its successful 
management. 
Where good pasture can be secured and other conditions are 
the most favorable, selected portions of these marshes can be 
successfully utilized for dairying or stock raising. 
Certain special crops, such as cabbage, onions, buckwheat, 
sugar beets, and rape, are adapted to such lands when well 
drained and properly fertilized.* 
Summarizing the peat situation for the future agricultural 
development of the peat lands such as are found in Jackson 
county it may be suggested that before farming on these lands 
can be permanently successful there are several conditions with 
which it is necessary to comply. 
1. It is absolutely necessary that the land should be suf¬ 
ficiently drained. Large outlet ditches in themselves while nec¬ 
essary are not sufficient, and these must be supplemented with 
open laterals and tile drains before adequate drainage is insured. 
2. This type of land is low in potash, phosphorus and often 
in lime and these materials must be supplied in proper form 
and proper amounts before permanent, profitable production 
can be expected. 
3. It must be recognized that the danger from summer frosts 
make such crops as corn and potatoes uncertain, and the crops 
to be grown must be those which are not only suited to the soil, 
but also to the climatic conditions. 
4. Those purchasing this type of land must not only see 
their way clear to pay for the land itself, but they must also 
provide adequate drainage and fertilization, both of which 
call for an added investment. 
*For more complete discussion of the management of marsh soils see 
bulletin on this subject by the Agricultural Experiment Station. 
