GROUP OF LOAMS AND FINE SANDY LOAMS. 3 J 
Topography and drainage .—The surface of the loam soil 
ranges from gently rolling to rolling, with a few areas which 
could be classed only as undulating. Because of the usual sur¬ 
face features the natural surface drainage is generally well estab¬ 
lished. In some of the lower places it sags, and the draws be¬ 
tween hills the drainage is sometimes deficient, but such areas 
are usually of small extent. Where the type borders the level 
phase of Superior soils or those of the Poygan or Whitman 
series there is frequently a narrow strip which would be im¬ 
proved by tile drains. There is seldom danger of serious ero¬ 
sion but on unprotected fields the surface soil washes to some 
extent during heavy rains. 
Origin. —The subsoil of the Superior loam has the same origin 
as the Superior clay, having been laid down as a lacustrine de¬ 
posit and later influenced by glacial action. The surface soil 
may fie in part of the same origin, but a considerable propor¬ 
tion of the surface soil doubtless came from crystalline rock ma¬ 
terial. Some of it, and especially the more sandy phases, prob¬ 
ably came from sandstone rock. In a few places the surface 
soil shows slight acidity, but the subsoil is not acid and usually 
contains a considerable amount of lime carbonate. 
Native vegetation. —The native timber growth on this soil 
consisted chiefly of maple, oak, ash, hickory, walnut, and some 
pine. While by far the greater proportion of the merchant¬ 
able timber has been removed there are still many farm wood 
lots containing the original timber. 
Present agricultural development* —A large proportion of 
the type is cleared and under cultivation and it is one of the 
best soils for general agriculture within the county. All of the 
crops common to the region are grown successfully upon it but 
the chief type of farming is general farming with dairying as 
the chief branch. Small grains, corn and hay are grown most 
extensively. While most of the hay is clover and timothy, al¬ 
falfa is coming to be an important crop and is being grown 
with success on many farms. Potatoes are grown for home use 
on all farms and on a number commercially. The most com¬ 
mon crop rotation consists of small grain, hay, corn, to which 
may be added a year of pasture after one or two years of hay, 
making a four or five year rotation. Stable manure is the chief 
* For chemical composition and improvement of this soil see page 43. 
