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Annual Report of the 
the adjoining clays, it produces a rich fertile loam, better adapted 
to some crops than the clays themselves. It is confined chiefly to 
the vicinity of the lake shore. 
7. THE CALCAREOUS SANDY SOILS. 
My attention was first called to this class by a growth of maple 
and associated trees upon a sandy soil. This was so contrary to 
previous observations that it led to an examination of the sand. 
That on the surface proved to be of the common silicious kind, but 
that deeper down contained many minute crystals of magnesian 
lime-stone, forming a calcareous sand. This fact makes a vast dif¬ 
ference in the fertility of the soil. A hundred per cent, is altogeth¬ 
er too low an estimate. A. general knowledge of this fact on the 
part of the owners, ought not onl^y to add to the appreciation in 
which their land is held, but enhance their returns by guiding them 
in selecting those crops for which their soil is peculiarly adapted. 
This also presents a rich field for the study of agricultural problems 
relating to calcareous and silicious soils. I commend it to the at¬ 
tention of progressive agriculturalists. This is not, however, the 
sole occupant of any considerable area, but is freely intermingled in 
patches with marly clay, gravelly soils and intermediate grades. 
It is a drift-soil, but the material originally came from the granular 
lime-stones of the Niagara group, such as are found near Sauk- 
ville, Grafton, Cedarburg and elsewhere. 
This soil is found in the north-eastern part of Washington coun¬ 
ty, extending somewhat into the adjoining counties. 
8. THE HUMUS SOILS. 
Under this head we will group those soils in which humus in 
some of its forms, chiefly peat and swamp muck, is the predomi¬ 
nant element, and in which the ingredients are largely concealed 
by it. The peaty soils are the type of the class. In these, not 
only the surface but the sub-soil is chiefly of vegetable origin. 
Soils simply covered by a thin layer of vegetable mould are not 
here included. Almost all the swampy and a large portion of the 
bottom lands are covered by this soil. 
But it is not so easy to define the adaptabilities of this class, or 
measure its fertility. Some portions, with simple draining, will 
produce the most luxuriant growth of grass or grain. Others are 
