GROUP OF LOAM, S' AND FIND SANDY LOAMS. 
29 
though this type occurs on some of the largest and highest ele¬ 
vations there are comparatively few steep or abrupt slopes, and 
by far the greater proportion of the type has such a topography 
as to permit the use of modern farm machinery. Where ex¬ 
tremely steep slopes have been found, or where the surface was 
of a very rough or broken character, a rough phase has been in¬ 
dicated on the soil map. These areas are frequently very stony 
as well as rough. The soil within the rough phase is also sub¬ 
ject to greater variation than typical, ranging from a fine 
sandy loam to a silt loam. Over the roughest areas some 
portions have been quite badly eroded. Because of the uneven 
surface features of the type as a whole, and the character of 
the subsoil, the natural drainage is excellent. The type con¬ 
tains a sufficient amount of fine material so that it retains mois¬ 
ture well and does not suffer from drought except during ex¬ 
tended dry periods. 
Origin .—-The material forming the Kennan loam has been de¬ 
rived through glacial action largely from crystalline rock forma¬ 
tions. This material in a number of cases has been carried by 
an ice sheet over regions where Potsdam sandstone is the un¬ 
derlying rock, so that the resulting soil consists of a mixture of 
materials from these two sources. However, the granitic rock 
material predominates in this soil in practically all cases. There 
is no limestone material present in the portion of the area where 
this type occurs and both soil and subsoil show varying degrees 
of acidity. 
Native vegetation .—The original timber growth on this soil 
consisted of maple, birch and oak, with varying amounts of hem¬ 
lock, white and Norway pine. A considerable part of the type 
as found in the extreme northwestern part of the county is still 
in timber. Where the original timber lias been removed there 
is usually a second growth in which poplar, white birch and hazel 
brush are plentiful. 
Present agricultural development *—Probably from one-third 
to one-half of this type has been cleared and placed under the 
plow. Where not extremely stony, it is one of the most desir¬ 
able soils in the west part of the county, and one which has very 
good agricultural value. It is devoted chiefly to dairying and 
general farming, with potatoes as an important cash crop. The 
* For chemical composition and improvement of this soil see page nr;. 
