GROUP OF SAND SOILS. 
53 
CHAPTER V. 
GROUP OP SAND SOILS 
PLAINFIELD SAND 
Extent and distribution .—The Plainfield sand is quite an ex¬ 
tensive soil. The principal development of the type is found in 
the southwestern part of the county in the Town of Dayton. It 
is found in other smaller areas in various other parts of the 
county, hut mostly in the western half. In the northeastern por¬ 
tion this soil is found in the vicinity of Embarrass and along the 
Pigeon River between Clintonville and Marion. 
Description .—The surface of Plainfield sand to an aver¬ 
age depth of 8 to 12 inches consists of a loose, rather open 
sand of medium texture. It has a grayish-brown or yellowish- 
brown color at the surface, indicating a low content of organic 
matter. The upper subsoil is often a rusty brown grading into 
a yellow or light yellow sand which frequently contain a small 
amount of fine gravel. Gravel and a few small stones are some¬ 
times found in and on the surface soil. 
The chief variation in this soil is found in the areas in the 
eastern and northeastern parts of the county where the material 
contains less gravel and is frequently entirely free from both 
gravel and stones. 
Topography and drainage .—The surface of Plainfield sand is 
level to very slightly undulating. In a few places there are pot 
holes or sags, but these are always of limited area. The slight 
surface relief is due chiefly to wind action. A few hummocks 
occur which are quite pronounced sand dunes. 
Because of the loose open character of the material the nat¬ 
ural drainage is excessive except where the water table comes 
close to the surface. 
Origin .—The soil is of alluvial origin and has been deposited 
as outwash plains and stream terraces. The material has been 
derived both from crystalline and from sandstone glacial drift. 
In the western and north central portions of the county the 
dark colored crystalline grains are quite numerous; while in the 
