\
Issued Septenil>«r 9, 1916. .
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
BUREAD OF SOILS— MILTON WHITNEY, ChieL
IN COOP»ERATION WITH TUE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL
EXPERIMENT STATION, F. B. MUMFORD, DIRECTOR:
M. F. MILLER, IN CHARGE SOI uC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY
AA 001 105 553
SOIL SURVEY OF DEKALB COUNTY,
MISSOURI.
H. H. KRUSEKOPF, Ix Charge, R. C. DONEGIIITE, and
M. M. McCOOL, OF THE University
OF Missouri,
CURTIS F. MARBUT, Ixspector in Charge.
[Advance Sheets— Field Operations of tlie Bureau of Soils, 1914.]
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTrNf! OFFICE.
101&
BUREAU OF SOILS.
Milton Whitney, Chief of Bureau.
Albebt G. Rice, Chief Cleric.
SOIL SLTKMSY.
CuETis F. IMakbut, In Charge.
G. W. Baumann, ExceutivG Assistant.
committee on the correlation and CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS.
.Curtis F. J.Iarbut, Chairman.
Hugh H. Bennett, Inspector, Southern Division.
AV. Edward Hearn, Inspector, Soutliern Division.
Thomas D. Rice, Inspector, Northern Division.
W. E. McLendon, Inspector, Nortliern Division.
Macy H. Lapham, Inspector, Western Division.
J. W. McKericher, Secretary.
Issued Septeml>er 9, 1916.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
BUREAU OF SOILS— MILTON WHITNEY, Chief.
IN COOPERATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL
EXPERIMENT STATION, F. B. MUMFORD, DIRECTOR;
M. F. MILLER, IN CHARGE SOIL SURVEY.
SOIL SURVEY OF DEKALB COUNTY,
H. H. KKUSEKOPF, In Charge, R. C. DONEGHUE, and
M. M. McCOOL, OF THE University
OF Missouri.
CURTIS F. MARBUT, Inspector in Charge.
[Adrance Sheets— Field Operations of the Bureau of Soils, 1914.]
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1916.
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
U. S. Department of Agriculture,
Bureau of Soils,
Washington, D. 6'., March 13, 1916.
Sir : During the field season of 1914 a soil survey was made of
Dekalb County, Missouri. This work was done in cooperation with
the State of Missouri and the selection of the area was made after
conference with State officials.
I have the honor to transmit herewith the manuscript report and
map covering this area and to recommend their publication as ad-
vance sheets of Field Operations of the Bureau of Soils for 1914, as
provided by law.
. Kespectfully,
Milton Whitney,
Chief of Bureau.
Hon. D. F. Houston,
Secretary of Agriculture.
cci ^^o3?^i
CONTENTS
Page.
Soil Survey of Dekalb County, Missouri. By H. II. Krusekopf, I\
Charge, R. C. Doneghue, and M. Af. McCool, op the University of
Missouri 5
Description of the area 5
Climate 7
Agriculture 8
Soils 13
Shelby loam 15
Grundy silt loam 17
Marshall silt loam 20
Crawford stony loam 21
Wabash loam 21
Wabash silt loam 22
Wabash clay.. 23
Summary 24
ILLUSTRATIONS
figure.
Page.
Fig. 1 . Sketch map showing location of the Dekalb County area, Miasouri. ... 5
MAP.
Soil map, Dekalb County sheet, Missouri.
SOIL SURVEY OF DEKALB COUNTY, MISSOURI.
By H. H. KRUSEKOPF, In Charge, R. C. DONEGHUE, and M. M. McCOOL.
of the University of Missouri.
DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA.
Fui. 1. — Sketch map sbowing
location of the Dekalb County
area, Missouri.
Dekalb County, Mo., lies in the northwestern part of the State,
midway between Kansas City and the Iowa State line and 15 miles
east of St. Joseph. It is bounded on the north by Gentry County,
on the east by Daviess and Caldwell Counties, on the south by Clin-
ton County, and on the west by Buchanan and Andrew Counties. It
is nearly square in outline and measures 21 miles east and west and
20 miles north and south. The county
has an area of 417 square miles, or 266,880
acres.
Dekalb Coimty is included within the
physiographic division of the State known
as the Rolling Prairie of northwestern
Missouri. It occupies a broad, rolling,
well-dissected plain, with a gradual slope to
the south and southeast. Broad, flat bot-
toms a re developed a long the la rger streams.
The surface varies from flat to moderately
hilly, although more than 80 per cent of the area is only gently rolling.
No considerable part of the county is too flat to have good .surface
drainage. The most extensive smooth area occurs in the south-cen-
tral part of the county, north of Osborn, tapering to a point 4 miles
north of Amity. A number of long, flat ridges, which represent in-
terstream divides, varying from a few rods to several miles in width
and from 1 mile to 6 miles in length, occur in all parts of the county.
The roughest land is in the east-central section along Grindstone
Creek, where a few of the hills are precipitous. The larger streams
have cut their channels to only moderate depths, and their widely
branching inteimittent tributaries have made only shallow incisions
in the original surface, so that the ridges and hills are rounded and
the slopes gradual.
The chief characteristics of the topograjihy are the level plains,
rounded ridges, and gentle slopes. The configuration, due entirely
to erosion, has been developed upon an original wide, unbroken plain,
5
6 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1914.
sloping fjently to the south. The remnants of this phiin, wliich con-
stitute the flat prairie and minor plateaus, are steadily being en-
croached upon by the streams.
The averajje elevation of the flat prairie land varies from 1,080
feet above sea level in the northern part of the county to 1,000 feet
in the southern part. The altitude of the stream valleys varies from
850 to 000 foot. The difference in elevation between the valleys and
the adjoining uplands is never more than 100 feet, and the slopes are
seldom too steep for cultivation.
The di'ainage of the eastern part of Dekalb County flows into
Grindstone Crook, Avhich enters the southoi-n ]iart of the county near
Osborn, and follows a northeasterly course, uniting with the Grand
River about a mile north of Santa Rosa. Lost Creek is the i)rincipal
tributary of this stream. The western part of the county drains
southward through Big Third Fork, Little Third Fork, and Castile
Creek into the Platte River. In general, the eastern drainage sys-
tem has cut to greater depths than the western system. "With the
exception of the larger creeks, the streams are dry except during wet
weather. A characteristic feature of the stream development is the
relatively great width of the flood plains of the larger streams.
Springs are rare in the county. Occasionally in places at the foot
of stream bluffs small quantities of water seep from seams of the
indurated rock, but there are no springs of importance. There is,
however, no difficulty in obtaining an abundant supply of water by
means of dug wells. The wells usually are 35 to 65 feet in depth,
though borings have been made to 105 feet. The depth of the wells
generally is equal to the thickness of the layers of unconsolidated
material.
At the time of the first settlement of this region only a small part
of the county was forested. "VVliite and black oak, walnut, hickory,
hazel brush, and sumac predominated on the uplands, and elm, maple,
sycamore, hickory, w\alnut, and oak in the bottoms. At present no
merchantable timber remains. The forested areas are now confined
to narrow strips along the larger streams, particularly Grindstone
Creek, and represent the roughest land.
Dekalb County was created from a part of Ray County in 1845.
The first settlement in the region was made in 1824:. During the
following 30 years the population increased to a few hundred, most
of the settlers coming from Kentuclcy and Tennessee. The com-
pletion of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad in 1859 did much to
increase immigration, and settlers from Illinois and other near-by
States came into the county. The present population consists mainly
of descendants of the early settlers. In the 1900 census the popula-
tion of the covmty is reported as 14,418; in the 1910 census it is given
SOIL SURVEY OF DEKALB COUNTY, MISSOURI. 7
as 12,531, or approximately 30 persons to tlie scjuaie mile. Prac-
tically all the population is engaged in agricultural pursuits.
Maysville, the county seat, has a population of 1,051, according
to the 1910 census. Union Star, Stewartsville, Osborn, Clarksdale,
Weatherby, and Santa Rosa are smaller towns and the centers of
farming communities. Cameron, in Clinton County, and King City,
in Gentry County, are trading points just across the county line
which receive some of the products of Dekalb County.
Dekalb County has G8 miles of railroad. A branch of the Chicago,
Eock Island & Pacific passes through the center of the county from
east to west, and the main line crosses the southeastern corner. The
Quincy, Omaha & Kansas City Pailway crosses the eastern part of
the county, and branches of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
extend through the northwestern and southern sections. These rail-
roads furnish good transportation facilities to the large markets, such
as Kansas City, St. Joseph, and Chicago.
The wagon roads follow land lines, irrespective of topography, and
for this reason generally are moderately hilly. They usually are
in poor condition during the spring and winter months.
Aside from its soil, Dekalb County has no natural resources of
economic importance. Several small limestone quarries supply a
poor grade of rough building stone. The cutting of walnut logs is no
longer of any importance. Farming, in its varied forms, is the pre-
dominating industry and has reached a high stage of development.
CLIMATE.
The climate of Dekalb County is essentially the same as that of
all northern Missouri. The mean annual temperature is about 53° F.,
as compared with a mean of 51.G° for the State, while the mean
annual precipitation is about 35 inches, as compared with a mean of
39.17 inches for the State. Zero weather is rare during December,
but occurs in January and February, altliough it seldom lasts more
than three days at a time. The annual snowfall averages about '20
inches. There is seldom more than a G-inch fall at one time. Late
frosts, which sometimes injure fi-uit ti-ees, occur in April and occa-
sionally in May. The average date of the last killing frost in the
spring, as determined from records covering a period of 12 years, is
May 1, and that of the first killing frost in fall ( )ctober 8. This gives
a noi-mal growing season of 100 days. Pastures can be used eight
months of the year.
The pi-ecipitation is well distributed tliroughout tlie year, the heavi-
est rainfall occurring during the growing season, from May to Sep-
tember, and the lightest in the winter months. Occasional droughts,
four to six weeks in duration, may occur in August and Sojitember,
but are usually withstood by the soil without serious danuige to crops.
33035°— 16 2
8
FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF' SOILS^ 1914.
The following tables are compiled from the records of the Weather
Bureau stations at Gallatin, Daviess County, and Fairport, Dekalb
County. The records of the Gallatin station cover a period of 16
years and those of the P'airport station a period of 14 years.
NoruHtl monthly, seasonal, and annual Icnipcraturc ami prcnpllation.
dallatin, Daviess County (elevation 803 feet).
Fairport, Dekalb County
(elevation 535 feet).
Month.
Temperature.
Precipitation.
Precipitation.
Mean.
Absolute
maxi-
mum.
Absolute
mini-
mum.
Mean.
Total
amount
for the
driest
year.
Total
amount
for the
wettest
year.
Mean.
Total
amount.
for the
driest
year.
Total
amount
for the
wettest
year.
December
January
"F.
30.3
27.0
25.9
"F.
68
66
72
'F.
-24
-12
-22
Inches.
1.47
1.20
1.64
Inches.
0.60
1.05
2.34
Inches.
2.50
5.13
1.39
Inches.
1.15
1.15
1.39
Inches.
1.45
.49
1.16
Inches.
1.74
3.94
February
1.30
Winter
27.7
72
-24
4.31
3.99
9.02
3.69
3.10
6.98
40.2
54.8
64.3
85
92
94
1
12
32
2.59
3.54
5.76
2.24
3.54
1.12
5.25
3.63
10.14
2.14
3.01
5.00
2.98
2.42
1.59
2.97
April
4.20
May
8.36
Spring
53.1
94
1
11.89
6.90
19.02
10.15
6.99
15.53
June
73.0
77.2
76.2
101
112
102
38
36
48
4.72
4.70
4.54
1.52
2.15
4.50
10.10
5.69
5.39
4.95
4.14
4.33
2.68
1.78
1.20
10.71
July
6.50
August
4.24
Summer. . .
75.5
112
36
13.96
8.17
21.18
13.42
5.66
21.45
September
October
69.2
58.2
41.6
103
92
75
30
22
1
4.18
2.61
1.67
1.86
0.52
2.63
8.10
5.78
1.02
4.19
2.22
1.42
5.31
1.72
.50
10.50
4.26
November
1.25
FaU
56.3
103
1
8.46
5.01
14.90
7.83
7.53
16.01
Year
53.2
112
-24
38.62
24.07
64. 12 1 35. 09
23.28
59.97
AGRICULTURE.
The agricultural development of Dekalb County was easily and
rapidl}^ accomplished. There were no extensive forests to be removed,
and large areas of prairie land were available for immediate cultiva-
tion. The prairie land was well suited to grain growing, as opera-
tions could be conducted on a large scale, and bringing the land under
cultivation required little expenditure of money and time.
Natural conditions in Dekalb County also favored stock raising.
The extensive prairies furnished abundant summer pasturage for
large herds of caitle and the dry grass provided forage until late in
SOIL SURVEY OF DEKALB COUNTY, MISSOURI. 9
the Avinter. In favorable years the stock could go through the Avinter
without feed other than that obtained from the range. The timbered
areas in the bottoms and elsewhere furnished an abundant supply of
mast for raising hogs and preparing them for market. Under such
favorable conditions the agriculture of Dekalb County from the time
of its earliest settlement has been based on the growing of the staple
crops, together with the raising of live stock.
"With the advent of the first railroad in 1859 an impetus was given
to agriculture, markets being made more accessible. Prior to that
time the surplus gi-ain and stock were shipped from Liberty, 40 miles
south of the county, on the INIissouri Kiver, by boat. Corn, oats,
wheat, rye, and flax were the princijial cro]:)s grown, but the sale of
these products furnished a relatively small part of the farmers' in-
come. The Missouri Agricultural Report for 1874 contains the fol-
lowing statement:
The cultivated grasses are l)eiiifr introduced for pasture, an<l do finely.
Bluegrass is gradually superseding the grass pastures. Farmers and stock
growers are paying considerable attention to improved breeds of stock.
Prior to 1880 grain farming was of more importance than stock
raising. The latter industry then became more profitable, and much
of the land was seeded Avith grass. The area devoted to corn was
greatly reduced, and the acreage in wheat and oats was decreased
more than one-half.
The present agriculture of the county consists of a combination of
grain farming and stock raising. Corn is and always has been the
most important cultivated crop. The average total area devoted to
this crop during the last six years has been approximately 100,000
acres, or about 37 per cent of the total area of the county. The
1910 census reports 80,325 acres in corn in 1909. The average yield
is about 27 to 30 bushels per acre. Very little corn is shipped out of
the county, most of it being used for fattening stock. Only a small
part of the crop is cut and shorUed. The greater part is either husUed
or snapped, the stalk fields being used as forage ground for stock.
Next to corn, oats are the most important crop. The acreage
varies greatly from year to year. This crop was grown most exten-
sively in the period from 1870 to 1880; since then the acreage has
steadily decreased. In the 1910 census the total area in oats is re-
ported as 13.970 acres. The yields, too, are variable, and range from
almost complete crop failures to 50 or GO bushels per acre, depending
on the season. For 1913 a total of 11,571 acres is reported in oats.
The acreage in wheat also fluctuates from year to year. Thef 1910
census reports a total of G,558 acres in this crop. The average yield
per acre is about 17 bushels, although maximum yields of 30 bushels
are reported. The aiva in 1913 was 7,5C)S acres, with an average
yield of 23 bushels per acre. There is at present a tendency towanl
10 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE JUJREAIJ OF KOII.S, 11)14.
a more extensive production of this ceieul. The soils are well
adapted to the crop and the present high prices make wheat grow-
ing more profitable than stock raising. Connnercial fertilizers give
best results when used on some small grain such as wheat. The
continuous production of corn has decreased the productiveness of
many fields, making the adoption of some system of crop rotation
almost imperative. Wheat, being the most f)rofitable of the small
grains and a good nurse crop for clover and grasses, promises to
become an important crop in the rotation.
A small acreage is sown to rye as a cover crop and for early spring
pasture. Kafir corn and sorghum are of some importance as forage
crops. A few farmers grow cowpeas, usually in the corn fields, for
pasture or as a green manuring crop. Some tobacco is grown, and
the results obtained justify the more extensive production of this
crop. Broom corn is no longer grown on a commercial scale.
Fruit growing is of no economic importance in Dekalb County,
although the soils are fairly w^ell adapted to fruits. The occasional
injury resulting from early spring frosts minimizes the profits ob-
tained from this source. A small orchard sufficient to supply the
home demand is found on almost every farm. On account of the
lack of near-by markets, bush fruits and truck crops are not grown
on a commercial scale.
The average total area in hay during the last five years has been
about 34,000 acres. The 1910 census rex)orts 32,213 acres in hay and
forage crops. The average yield is approximately 1^ tons per acre.
The hay grasses consist of timothy, redtop, and clover. Sometimes
clover is sown alone, but more often it is seeded with timothy.
When it is grown alone, the second cutting is used for seed; when
it is mixed with timothy the fields are used for pasture after the
first crop has been removed for hay. After two or three years the
land usually is plowed and put in corn. The acreage devoted to
clover is small, although the crop thrives, especially on the Shelby
loam soil. The plants are sometimes injured in the winter by " heav-
ing." The growth of the dairy industry is doing much to encour-
age the growing of clover. All the hay produced is used locally.
Alfalfa is not grown extensively in Dekalb County, but there is no
apparent reason why the crop could not be made to thrive on the
better areas of the Shelby loam and on the well-drained alhnial
soils. It is an important crop on the Shelby loam in eastern Ne-
braska, and there seems to be no reason why the same soil should
not produce this crop successfully in Dekalb County with proper
attention.
The county lies in the center of the bluegrass-seed producing
region of Missouri, and large quantities of the seed are sold annu-
SOIL SURVEY OF DEKALB COUNTY, MISSOURI. 11
ally. The yield of seed is fiom 8 to 14 bushels per acre, 12 bushels
beino; a fair average. The seed is harvested during the first two or
three weeks in June.
With its excellent pastures, favorable climate, and desirable loca-
tion with respect to markets and tlie corn belt, Dekalb County is
an important live-stock region. A permanent Iduegrass ])asture in
which white clover frequently is sown forms a part of every farm.
Bluegrass is indigenous to tlie soils, and grows voluntarily in fields
left uncultivated for two years. The general prosperity of the region
is due to the live-stock industry, and as a source of income it has
always held first place. The 1010 census reports 17,114 cattle and
3,052 calves sold or slaughtered, 2,880 horses and mules sold, and
77,380 hogs and 9,336 sheep and goats sold or slaughtered on farms.
In addition to the large number of cattle raised each year, feeders
are brought in from St. Joseph and Kansas City and prepared
for market. Well-bred cattle are raised almost exclusively in this
countv. Hog raising is carried on in conjunction with cattle laising,
and is a source of revenue on every farm. Small flocks of sheep are
found in all parts of the county, and it is probable that their number
could be increased with profit. Each year western sheep are ])rought
into the county to be fed for market. A few horses and mules arc
raised for sale on almost every farm. Even where the farm is not
devoted mainly to live stork, the raising or fattening of stock is an
important and profitable adjunct. This is true of the small farms as
well as of those upon which operations are on a more extensive scale.
All parts of Dekalb County are well suited to dairying, and the
tendency is toward an extension of this industr3\ Few farms make
a specialty of dairying, but there are many farms on which 10 to 15
milch cows are kept. Both milk and cream are shipped out of the
county. Dairying has its greatest development in the vicinity of
CLarksdale and Maysville. St. Joseph and Kansas City are the
principal markets for the products.
There have been few changes in the general agricultural practices
in Dekalb County during the last 50 years, and the stability indi-
cates that those ])revailing ai-e the most suitable for the region. The
rotation of crops is often practiced more because of convenience in
management than because of its beneficial effects upon the soils and
the resulting increase in cro]) yields. The usual practice is to gi-ow
corn two or three years and oats one year, after which the land
is seeded down to remain in mowing land or pasture for several sea-
sons or until the sod luns out and i-e(|uires renewal. This system is
often varied by substituting wheat for oats. In the creek bottoms
grass is seldom allowed to remain more than one season, as the
alluvial soils are in great demand for corn.
12 FIELD OPERATIONS OP TPIE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1914.
Agricultural motliods on tlie impottant upland types are quite
Avcll adnjjtod to pi'cscnt conditions. The live-stock industry creates
a ^ood demand for hay, corn, and grain, and rotations are planned to
supply these crops. Improved fai*m machinery is in general use,
and as a rule good systems of cultivation are practice<l. Barnyard
manure is rather carefully saved, and this is supplemented by feed-
ing large numbers of cattle on the fields.
In general the soils of the county are in fair physical condition, but
in many places corn is gi-own too frequently and the stalks are burned,
resulting in injury to the tilth of the soil. This condition of poor
tilth is becoming more serious on many farms and is one of the factors
that limit crop yields. The remedy is to increase the organic-matter
content by plowing under crop residues, such as corn stalks, straw, and
clover, instead of selling them from the farm or burning them, as is
often done. The occasional turning under of a legume as a green-
manuring crop also would prove beneficial. The growing of clover
aids greatly in the restoration of the organic-matter content. As a
large part, probably 35 per cent, of the agricultural land of the
county is in sod, much of which is permanent pasture and mowing
land, the improvement of the sod is of great importance. The
reseeding of old sod land is profitable, and top dressing with manure
gives good results.
The census of 1910 reports a total of 2,186 farms in Dekalb County.
The average size of the farms is given as 120.5 acres. There are
only a few holdings of more than 500 or less than 25 acres. Of the
total land area of the county, 96.9 per cent is reported in farms, and
of the farm land 93.3 per cent is reported improved. The percentage
of improved land in farms is exceeded by only one county in the
State. Of the total number of farms, 67.5 per cent are reported
operated by the owners; practically all the remainder are operated
by tenants. As a rule the tenants are grain farmers and the owners
stock farmers. There is great need of a system of longer leases, in
order to make possible the use of farming methods that will main-
tain the productiveness of the soil.
The average value of farm land is reported in the 1910 census as
$68.44 an acre, showing a decided increase over the average value
of $31.90 an acre reported in 1900. Land values range from $75 to
$150 an acre, the higher prices prevailing nearer the towns. The
range in prices has no absolute ;i'elation to the class of soil. In
general land values are increasing. Few farms change hands and the
improvements that are made are of a permanent type.
The total value of all farm proj^erty in the county is reported in
1910 as $24,769,693, practically twice that reported in 1900.
SOIL SURVEY OF DEKALB COUNTY, MISSOURI. 13
SOILS.
The soils of Dekalb County may be classed in three broad frroiips —
glacial, loessial, and alluvial. In area the glacial soils rank first and
the alluvial soils next.
The geological formation covering practically all the county is
the Kansan drift of the Pleistocene period. Only a small part of
the soil in the county is residual from the basal rocks, but the under-
lying limestone and shale have entered largely into the formation
of the glacial debris covering them. Along the western ])<)undary
of the county the surface material has the characteristics of loess,
and may have been deposited by the wind.
The basal rocks consist of alternating l)eds of limestone and shale
and in places thin beds of sandstone, belonging to the Tapper Coal
Measures. It is only along the deeper stream cuts, particularly in
the eastern part of the county, that the more resistant limestone beds
are exposed, giving rise to the Crawford soil. The soil material de-
rived from weathering of this rock is characterized by a dark-brown
color. It is everywhere thoroughly mixed with material from the
overlying glacial till. On account of its small extent and rough
topography, the Crawford soil is of negligible importance.
The glacial material consists of a heterogeneous mass of sand, silt,
and clay, and is known to geologists as belonging to the Kansan
stage of glaciation. This mass of material, forming most of the soil
of the county, was largely brought into the area from the north.
A considerable percentage of the drift, however, is 'of local origin.
and consists of material ground from the underlying limestone and
shale. Owing to the varied sources of the deposit, it includes quite a
w'ide range of mineralogical material.
The greater part of the drift occurs as a mixed mass of different-
sized particles, ranging from the finer grades of sand, with some silt
and clay, to bowlders. This intimate amalgamation of material was
due to the grinding and mixing action of the glacier passing over
rock surfaces and the trans])ortation of the material to the point of
deposition. In this work of transportation the glacier was aided by
streams that flowed from beneath its southern edge. So great in
extent was this mass of material and so powerful were the agents of
distribution that the resulting glacial dejiosits cover not only Dekalb
County, but practically all of noithern Missouri, the original depth
ranging from 50 to 150 feet. Tlie material, being very susceptible to
erosion, has become greatly modified in topography, so that now the
surface has the appearance of a thoroughly dissected plain. The sur-
face layer of diift has been modified also by leachiTig and oxidation
and the carrying away in suspension of the liner particles of earth.
14
FIELD OPEBATIONS OF TlfK BUREAU OV SOILS, 1014.
leaving a yellow to brownish-yellow, sticky, sandy clay, with an
accumulation of sand at the siii-face. Many conci-etions of lime car-
bonate and white, calcareous streaks, togethei- with o(!casional iron
pipes, arc found. It is this modified drift which gives rise to the
Shelby loam.
Overlying the glacial drift is a layer of fine earth that is generally
considered to be loess. Its true mode of oiigin has never been
definitely determined. Some geologists believe it to have been de-
posited by wind, others by water, and still others hold it to Vjc merely
The thoroughly weathered surface layer of the Kansan drift. In
depth it varies from 3 to 10 feet, the greater depth usually occurring
in the western part of the county. Erosion has reduced its occur-
rence to the flat ridges known locally as prairies. Similar material
is encountered on the terraces of the larger streams of the count3^
The weathering of this material has given rise to the soils mapped as
the Grundy silt loam and the Marshall silt loam. These soils differ
greatly in their physical characteristics. The Grundy soils occupy
level upland prairies, and have black surface soils with drab or brown
impervious subsoils of fine texture and close structure. The Mar-
shall soils have a gently rolling topography and dark-brown, mellow
subsoils. On the crests of the narrow ridges and along the outer
border of the Grundy silt loam, where weathering is further ad-
vanced, the Grundy silt loam, rolling phase, is mapped. It differs
from the typical soil in that it is slightly more eroded and has had
much of the clay content washed out.
The material carried by the drainage from the uplands and de-
posited and assorted in the flood plains of the streams gives rise to
three soil types classed with the Wabash series. The Wabash loam
occurs along the smaller streams, and is both alluvial and colluvial
in origin. The Wabash silt loam and Wabash clay comprise the
larger areas of bottom land. The latter is found only where the flood
plains are wide. In general, the Wabash soils are characterized by
their dark color and high content of organic matter.
The following table gives the name and the actual and relative
extent of each soil type mapped in Dekalb County :
Areas of different soils.
Soil.
Acres.
Percent.
Soil.
Acras.
Per cent.
Shelby loam
145,088
17,024
49, 472
28,800
19,264
54.4
i 24.9
10. S
7.2
Marshall silt loam
3,840
2,240
1,152
1.5
Wabash clav
.8
Crawford stony loam
.4
Wabash silt loam
Total
266,880
SOIL SURVFA' OF DEKALB COUNTY, MISSOURI. 15
SHELHY LOAM.
The surface soil of the Shelhy loam consists of a dark-brown to
brown loam or fine sandy loam, grading at about 8 to 10 inches
into a dark-brown to grayish-brown heavy loam which becomes
heavier with depth. The subsoil from about 15 to 40 inches is a
rather stiff, tenacious sandy clay, yellowish to reddish brown in color,
and frequently mottled with gray and brown in the lower part.
The depth and the color of the dark surface material vary some-
what with the topography. In the gently rolling areas where the
soil is well supplied with organic matter it is much deeper and is
darker in color than on the steeper slopes where erosion is more
active. In general, the Shelby loam in the northern and western
parts of the county averages darker in color than in the eastern and
southern parts.
Quartz gravel and sand are disseminated throughout the 3-foot
soil section, and large gi'anite and conglomerate bowlders are some-
times present. Large masses of lime concretions and calcareous
streaks are present in the subsoil and are a characteristic of the type.
Although the subsoil consists largely of clay, the c(mtent of sand is
sufficient to give it a somewhat friable structure and to make it suffi-
ciently porous to permit the ready percolation of water. When ex-
posed to the weather the sul)soil breaks up into small cubes.
Occasionally pockets of steel-gray to bluish, very sticky clay are
found immediately below the surface soil. Areas where these occur
probably indicate the location of small basins or pools during glacial
times. Thin lenses of waterworn chert gravel are sometimes seen in
the subsoil in road cuts. The lower strata consist of a heterogeneous
mass of clay, sand, gi-avel, and bowlders, which constitute the un-
weathered glacial till from which the type is derived. The thickness
of this till ranges from 10 to 90 feet or more.
That the glacial till in places is largely composed of ground-up
material from the local rocks is indicated by the character of the soil.
Around Stewartsville, in the area drained by Castile Creek, there is
a variation of the Shelby loam, resembling the white-oak lands
(Lindley loam) in northeastern Missouri. It contains less sand and
more clay, is lighter in color, contains less organic matter, and is less
productive than the typical soil. This variation is no doubt largely
derived from decomposed shale. On the lower slopes along Grind-
stone Creek a variation of the Shelby loam is encounlei-ed where the
soil is almost a sandy loam in texture. The material here is appar-
ently derived largely from the underlying sandstone and shale.
The Shelby loam is by far the most extensive soil type in Dekalb
County. Except for comparatively small areas of Marshall silt loam,
it comprises all the rolling and hilly upland. It is characterized by
16 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1914.
a remarkable uniformity in its physical properties and natural pro-
ductiveness in all parts of the county. Suiface (IrniuMfi^e is every-
where thorough, and frequently excessive. The native vegetation of
the rolling land consisted of prairie grass. The more broken areas
were covered with a growth of white and black oak, hickory, elm, ash,
linden, and walnut.
Probably one-half the type is used for the production of com, and
the remainder mainly for oats, hay, and pasturage. Corn yields
range from 35 to 50 bushels per acre. A small acreage is annually
devoted to wheat, and yields of 12 to 20 bushels per acre are ob-
tained. The prevailing opinion is that this rolling land is not so well
adapted to wheat as are the level prairie lands. The Shelby loam is
an excellent grass soil, and bluegrass is indigenous to it. Where this
grass is established and properly cared for it grows luxuriantly and
remains indefinitely.
Clover does well on this soil under proper conditions. Yields aver-
age from 1 to 1| tons of hay per acre. "WTiere surface and subsoil
drainage are complete, and where the soil is rich in organic matter,
alfalfa gives fair yields. Only a small part of the type is suited to
orcharding, although home orchards do well in the more elevated and
rolling areas. It is f)robable that the Shelby loam will continue one
of the leading soils for general farming and will not be used to a
large extent for the production of special croi:)s, except the vegetables
and fruit required for home use. It is not well adapted to grain
growing alone, but is admirably suited to combined gi'ain and stock
farming. Under this system the marked adaptation of the soil to the
production of grass can be utilized in the most profitable way, the
productiveness of the soil maintained, and erosion controlled.
The rolling topography causes considerable loss by erosion unless
good soil management is practiced, and it is advisable to grow winter
cover crops, such as rye, wheat^r oats. "Wliere fall plowing is done
it should be at least 8 inches deep and the land left as rough and open
as possible through the winter in order to absorb the moisture. Land
given shallow fall plowing, or fall-plowed land which is not left
open and rough, washes badly.
Of chief importance in the management. of this type is the main-
tenance of the organic-matter and nitrogen supply. A rotation of
crops is one of the first essentials, and should be based on some
legume, such as clover. Clover does well on most of this soil type,
and there is little difficulty in maintaining the organic-matter con-
tent, provided clover is grown frequently, the hay is fed back on the
land, and occasional gi'een crops are turned under. Crop rotation
alone is not sufficient for maintaining the organic-matter content, and,
in addition, either the crops must be fed and the manure carefully
SOIL SURVEY OF DEKALB COUXTY, MISSOURI. 17
returned to the soil or, if the crops are sold, legumes should be
grown for turning under.
The Shelby loam is not greatly in need of lime, but where it is
found to be acid the application of 1 to 2 tons of ground limestone
per acre is beneficial. The lime is best applied after the ground is
plowed, so that it can be thoroughly mixed with the soil by subse-
quent cultivation.
On the Shelby loam in Dekalb County very little commercial fer-
tilizer is used. AMierever phosphates in readily available form have
been tried good results have followed, particularly with wheat.
Applications of a good grade of acid phosphate or steamed bone
meal on wheat, at the rate of about 150 pounds per acre, have proved
beneficial. Such treatment also goes far to insure a good stand
of clover when this crop is to follow wheat in the rotation. Fer-
tilizers alone can not be depended upon to maintain the productive-
ness of the soil, but should be supplemented by manure, preferably
applied before com. Under the live-stock system of farming the
need of fertilizers has not been felt to any marked degree, but with
increased gi-ain growing or with neglect in manuring the use of
fertilizers, especially on such crops as alfalfa, wheat, and oats, will
in many cases prove profitable.*
Land values on the Shelby loam type of soil range from $50 to
$100 an acre, averaging somewhat lower than those on the Grundy
silt loam.
GBtTNDY SILT I.OAM.
The surface soil of the Grundy silt loam to a depth of 8 to 12
inches is a uniform silt loam, black or dark brown to dark gray
in color. It contains a fair supply of organic matter and is frial)le,
loose, and easily tilled. The subsurface soil, extending from about
10 to 16 inches, typically is a dark grayish brown, heavy silt loam.
It usually contains a slightly larger percentage of clay than the
surface soil, especially as the rolling phase of the type is approached.
In the smooth, poorly drained areas there is a subsurface layer,
1 to 3 inches in thickness, of light-gray silty material. This stratum
corresponds to the light ashen gray layer in the related Putiiam silt
loam of the northeastern Missouri prairies, but is shallower and much
darker in color.
The subsoil is a dark-brown to dral), heavy, plastic clay, changing
at about 24 inches to a yellowish-gray, plastic clay, mottled with
brown and gray. At a depth of 4 to feet the yellowish-gray clay
of the ghuial till, which cverywliore underlies the Grundy silt loam,
1 See " Soil Exporimcnts on the Rolling Olaclal Land of Vortli Missouri." Bnl. No. 128,
Missouri College of Agriculture.
18 FTFJ-D OPERATTONR OF THE BTTPJ-UU OF ROILS, 1914.
is encountered. The iij^por stratum of the su])Soi], as exposed in
sti-eam or roadside cuts, is cliai-acterized by its cliocolatc-ljrown
coloi". It is rather impervious to water, and is often, thotigli im-
j)roperly, called "hardpan." On exposure it cracks and crumbles
leadily. The lower subsoil usually is cjuite loamy. In general the
subsoil of the Grundy silt loam is not so stiff or compact as the cor-
responding layer in the related Putnam silt loam.
The Grundy silt loam occupies the flat to very gently rolling land
locally known as "prairie." Throughout its extent the type has a
nearly level to slightly undulating topography. The slope generally
is sufficient to give adequate natural di-ainage. Artificial drainage,
however, would no doubt prove beneficial in a few small areas, as at
the heads of shallow draws, where crops are sometimes injured in
excessively wet seasons. The type is more backward in the spring
than the Shelby loam.
The largest bodies of the Grundy silt loam occur in the southern
part of the county in the vicinity of Osborn and to the northwest of
this place around Amity. Smaller areas are encountered on the high
interstream divides. The original vegetation consisted of wild prairie
grasses.
All the type is in cultivation. Corn, grass, oats, wheat, and clover
are the important crops, ranking in the order named. The Grundy
silt loam is an excellent grass and small-grain soil. For timothy and
redtop it is superior to the Shelby loam, although bluegi^ass does
better on the latter type. In recent years the acreage of wheat has
greatly increased, and excellent results have been obtained. Although
many farmers state that the Grundy silt loam is not so good a soil
as the Shelby loam, the improvements on it indicate a degree of pros-
perity not equaled on any of the other soil types in the county. On
account of the heavy subsoil, the type is only fairly well suited to the
production of alfalfa. As a fruit soil it is about equal to the Shelby
loam.
The high value of the Grundy silt loam for the production of corn,
primarily, and of oats and hay in proper rotation with corn, has led
to the use of almost all the type for the production of general farm
crops. The returns from this system of general farming have been
so satisfactory that the introduction of any special crops upon the
type has not been undertaken.
Wliile the Grundy silt loam is in a fair physical state, continuous
cropping to corn or corn and oats, with the burning of the stalks,
is impairing its condition ; the soil is becoming more difficult to work,
it runs together more, and aeration, gi-anulation, and absorption of
moisture take place less readily than formerly. The remedy is to
increase the organic-matter content by plowing under manure and
crop residues, such as cornstalks, straw, and clover. The addition of
SOIL SURVEY OF DEKALB COUNTY, MISSOURL 19
organic matter is not only of great value in improving the jjliysical
condition of this type, but it is of even greater importance in adding
nitrogen and because of its power, as it decays, to liberate potassium
in the soil and phosphorus from the phosphate contained in or applied
to the soil.
The occasional difficulty of growing clover on the Grundy silt loam
largely results from a deficiency of lime in the soil. This condition
can be corrected by the application of limestone at the rate of about
2 tons per acre, following with 1-ton applications once in four to six
years. AVith continued cropjiing and leaching, applications of lime-
stone will ultimately be needed on all the type.
The prevailing rotation of corn, oats, and clover will not main-
tain the productiveness of the type unless great care is used to
return to the soil all crop residues and all manure made from this
rotation. It is recognized by the majority of farmers that proper
crop rotation is needed for the maintenance of the productiveness of
this soil. Commercial fertilizers are not applied, although the soil
responds readily to their use. The use of phosphatic fertilizers has
given good returns, and apparently is necessary in order to insure
maximum yields.^ Deep-rooted crops, such as mammoth clover
and sweet clover, may well replace red clover at times in order to
avoid clover siclmess and to render the dense clay subsoil more
permeable to air and w^ater.
In general the Gi-undy silt loam includes the most improved and
highest i^riced land in the count3\ The greater part of the type is
valued at $100 to $150 an acre.
Grundy silt loam^ roUimj phase. — The surface soil of the Grundy
silt loam, rolling phase, consists of a friable, dark-brown to black silt
loam, which grades below into somewhat lighter colored material
extending to a depth of about 18 inches. The subsoil is a yellowish-
brown to grayish-brown silty clay or clay loam, changing to a yel-
lowish clay in the lower part. Along the outer margins of areas of
the phase and on the narrower ridges the subsoil consists of glacial
till and contains some sjind. The surface soil usually contains a
small percentage of fine sand, and the change fi'om soil to subsoil is
less distinct than in the main type. The bench-land areas are lighter
in color and texture than the upland areas.
In some places where this phase occurs on naiTow ridges much
of the surface soil has been removed and the heavy clay subsoil is
encountered near the surface. Such areas frequently are covered
with a scrubby growth of white oak. They are best adapted to use as
pasture. Where cultivated they require large additions of organic-
matter to improve the physical properties of the soil and to insure
1 See " Soil Expcrimonts on tho Dark Pralrlpa of Central and Northeast Missouri,'
Bui. No. 127, Missouri College of .^^Tk■ul(u^<^
20 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1914.
fair yields. On account of their small extent these areas are not
indicated on the soil map.
The Grundy silt loam, rolling phase, represents sections of the
type modified in surface features and in structure by erosion. It
includes all the narrow ridges and forms a belt surrounding the
more nearly level areas of the main type. It occurs also along some
of the larger streams, occupying the second bottoms and low, grad-
ual slopes. The topography is gently rolling, and the surface drain-
age generally is good. The slopes usually are not steep enough to
permit destructive washing.
The boundaries between the main type and the phase are neces-
sarily drawn somewhat arbitrarily, as the two gi-ade into each other
almost imperceptibly. Erosion tends to convert the outer margin
of the rolling phase into Shelby loam, while the flat prairie is grad-
ually being convei-ted into the rolling phase by the same agency.
This change is taking place more rapidly now than formerly, when
washing was largely prevented by prairie grasses.
Like the typical Grundy silt loam, the rolling phase is all under
cultivation. It is used for the same crops, and the soil treatment
is the same as on the main type. It is not so droughty, however, and
is generally considered the most desirable of the upland soils. In
very dry or very wet seasons it is more productive than the flat
prairie land, as it has better surface drainage.
MARSHALL SILT LOAM.
The soil of the Marshall silt loam to a depth of 10 to 12 inches
is a black to dark-brown, mellow silt loam. This grades into a brown
to light-brown silt or silty clay loam. The subsoil below about 24
inches is a brownish, friable silty clay mottled with gray and yellow.
The lower subsoil frequently passes into a yellowish-brown clay loam
resembling the lower subsoil of the Grundy silt loam. Both surface
soil and subsoil are free from sand and gravel, and the material
usually is uniform to a depth of 6 or 8 feet.
This type is derived from the fine silty material generally called
loess, which overspreads a large part of northwestern Missouri. It
is probable that the loess at one time covered a large part of Dekalb
County, but owing to the action of erosion the thick deposits are
now confined to the valleys in the western part of the county. These
areas represent the eastern edge of the extensive loess soils that com-
prise nearly all the upland west of Dekalb County to the Missouri
River.
The Mai-shall silt loam is confined to the valley of Big Third Fork
in the western part of the coimty. The type rises gradually from tlie
outer margin of the flood plain and has a gently rolling topography.
SOIL SURVEY OF DEKALB COUNTY, MISSOURI. 21
Practically all the type is in cultivation, being used for the pro-
duction of corn and grass almost exclusively. It is especially de-
sirable as grass land. The yields of corn average higher than on
any of the other upland soils. On account of its mellow subsoil it is
especially adapted to the growing of alfalfa and other deep-rooted
crops. As a general-faruiing soil tlie Marshall silt loaui is one of the
most desirable tyi)es in the county. The content of organic matter
in the soil is high, and the supply is easily maintained. Manure,
crop residues or legume crops should be turned under in order to
maintain the organic-matter and nitrogen content, but the addition
of commercial fertilizers probably would not prove profitable. The
installation of tile drains in a few of the flat areas Avould prove
beneficial.
CRAWFORD STONY LOaM.
The Crawford stony loam includes areas occupied by rock outcrops
or strewn with rock fragments to such an extent that cultivation is
impracticable. The soil material is variable, but usually consists of
a dark-brown or yellowish-brown silty clay or clay loam, underlain
at a depth of 10 to 24 inches by beds of limestone or yellowish-drab
shale. It is derived in part from the Weathering of limestones and
shales and in part from glacial till.
The type occurs in the eastern part of the county on steep slopes
where the overlying drift has been removed and the bedrock ex-
posed. A number of areas are too small to map.
Practically all the Crawford ston}'^ loam is forested or covered
iwith brush. Some of the smoother areas could be used for pasture
or orchard sites. Bluegrass and white clover do well on this soil.
Most of the type would best remain forested, because when it is
cleared erosion becomes destructive.
WABASH LOAM.
The Wabash loam is the most variable soil type in the county.
The surface soil ranges in texture from fine sandy loam to clay
loam, although douiinantly it is a loam. Along the steeper slopes
where washing is more marked the soil generally is (juito san<ly,
while in the gently rolling areas the sand content is relatively low.
Where the type occurs within areas of the (irnndy silt loam the
texture is a silt or silty clay. At a depth of IT) to IS inches the sur-
face soil grades into a black or dark-gray silty clay, carrying .some
sand and continuing to a depth of 3 feet or more. There usually is
not enough sand in the subsoil to give it a friable texture, aud the
lower part is almost sand free. The surface soil is cli:inuteii/e(l i)y
its black color and high content of orgiuiic uiatter.
This type occurs along the small streams ;ind draws iu ;i!l jtarts
of the county and is both alluvial and colluvial in origiu. It lies
22 FIKLD OPERATIONS OF TIN': BUREAU OF SOILS, 1014.
relatively higher than the other bottom-land soils and is rarely over-
flowed. Very fre(iiiently, however, tributary streams of steep gradi-
ent which descend IVom the upland ai"e raised to flood level by heavy
showers, and under such conditions carry down large quantities of
local material, which is deposited in the form of low alluvial cones
at the point where the Wabash loam adjoins the upland slopes. At
the heads of some draws, where the type has a flat surface, the
moisture conditions could be improved by the use of tile drains.
The Wabash loam is one of the most productive soils of the
county. It is well suited to all the field crops commonly grown in
the region, and particularly to corn and grass. Where it has good
underdrainnge it is also well suited to alfalfa. Wheat and oats
usually make too rank a growth and are likely to lodge.
WABASH SILT LOAM.
The surface soil of the Wabash silt loam is a dark-brown or dark-
gray to black, mellow silty loam. The darker material occurs where
there has been a tendency toward the accumulation of a muckj^ sur-
face soil. The soil is lighter brown on the low undulations, which
have better drainage and are not subject to annual overflow. The
surface-soil material grades almost imperceptibly into the black or
dark-gi'ay silty clay loam or clay loam subsoil. Owing to the alluvial
origin of the type, there are minor variations in texture, and fre-
quently a drab or gray clay is present in the lower part of the
subsoil, while veins and pockets of sand are encountered in places in
the surface soil or subsoil. Some fine sand has accumulated on the
loAv ridges. In general, the type is more uniform in texture and
slightly heavier in the western part of the covmty than in the eastern
part. This difference is probably due to the fact that in the western
part the soil material is largely derived from the upland silt loams
and from loess, Avhile the glacial till is the source of the valle}" soil
in the eastern part of the county.
The Wabash silt loam includes the broad, level first bottoms or
OA^erflow lands along the larger streams in the county. In many
places the frequent overflows of the different streams have built up
the areas of this soil type which immediately adjoin the stream
channels to elevations somewhat greater than that of the material
farther back in the same bottoms. In such locations the material
usually is somewhat coarser than the general average of the type,
and small areas of fine sandy surface soil are encountered. The
natural drainage is good, although practically all the type is subject
to ovei'flow. Such wet areas as are sometimes found at the foot of
the upland slopes can be easily and effectively drained by open
ditches or by tile drains. The water table is seldom encountered at
a depth of less than 8 feet. Droughts hardly ever seriously affect
SOIL SURVEY OF DEKALB COUNTY, MISSOURI. 23
crops on this typo. The occasional overflows constitute the only
limitation to the use of this soil.
Originally the Wabash silt loam contained large quantities of
organic matter. Continued cropping for more than 30 years has
materially decreased, though it has not nearly exhausted, this siipplv.
The organic content, together with the silty nature of the material,
tends to make the surface soil verj-- mellow and desirable for culti-
vated crops.
This type is particularly desirable for the production of corn.
Probably more than three-fourths of the type is devoted to this crop.
Yields range from 40 to 100 bnsliels per acre. In tlie higher Iving
areas wheat and oats do well, but are likely to lodge on account of
their rank growth.
Grasses thrive in the low-lying areas and next to corn they con-
stitute the most important crop. Timothy and redtop particularly
give heavy yields of hay. The areas that are not subject to overflow
are well suited to the production of alfalfa and clover. It is not
probable, however, that with the present demand for corn any large
area of this type will be devoted to the production of other crops.
The type is inherently sti-ong and durable and enhances the value of
farms in which it is included.
To maintain the productiveness of the Wabash silt loam the only
need is the practice of good methods of farming. Even the sys-
tematic rotation of crops is not so important where the land is subject
to occasional overflow, but where it lies high or is protected from
overflow by dikes a rotation including leguminous crops should be
practiced, and ultimately provision should be made in such protected
areas for the incorporation of organic matter and, if acid, for the
addition of lime.
WABASH CLAY.
The surface soil of the Wabash clay is a Idack or drab, heavv. plas-
tic clay or clay loam, having an average depth of about 10 inches,
although not infrequently extending to a depth of 15 inches or more.
The subsoil, which continues to a groat depth, usually is a bluish-
black, stick)', waxy clay, with occasional iron stains. The surface
soil when wet is stifl" and sticky and adheres to the moldboard of the
plow. It cracks and gi-anulates as the water evaporates, forming
crevices which sometimes have a depth of 12 to 20 inches and a width
of 1 to 2 inches. The subsoil is retentive of moisture, owing to its
texture and the low position of the tyjie. Locally the Wabash clay
is known as " gmnbo."
The Wabash clay occupies level or depressed positions within the
broader alluvial lands. It comprises the areas of deposition of the
finest sediments carried by the overflow waters. Practically all the
24 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1914.
type is flooded each season. It retains an excess of moisture until
far into the summer, and is consequently not well suited to agri-
culture in its natural condition.
The natural productiveness of the Wabash clay, -where it is
properly protected from overflow, makes it a desirable soil. How-
ever, very little attempt has been made to produce other than a few
general farm crops. "Where well drained the type is devoted to corn,
and yields ranging from 60 to 80 bushels per acre are obtained.
Crops, however, are uncertain, and in wet seasons usually are a fail-
ure. The poorly drained areas yield large quantities of coarse hay.
Areas not subject to overflow are admirably adapted to clover and
timothy.
To improve this soil it is necessary to provide both surface and
imdcrground drainage and to protect the land from floods. In many
cases the physical properties of the soil can be greatly improved by
plowing imdor corn stalks and other coarse material. It should be
remembered that the difficulty of working clay soils is in proportion
to their deficiency in organic matter.
SUMMARY.
Dekalb County lies within the gently rolling prairie region of
the northwestern part of Missouri. It has an area of 417 square
miles, or 266,880 acres. The topography varies from level to rolling ;
prevailingly it is gently rolling. The most extensive area of level
land is in the south-central part of the county. Elevations range
from about 850 to 1,080 feet above sea level.
Eegional drainage is well developed; the streams of the eastern
part of the county have cut to greater depths than those of the
western part. With the exception of the larger drainage ways, the
streams are dry except during wet weather. The flood plains of
the larger streams are very wide in proportion to the size of the
drainage couree.
The population of Dekalb County in 1910 was 12,531. Mays%411e,
the county seat, is the largest town in the coimty, with a population
of 1,051 at the last census.
Transportation is furnished by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific,
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and the Quincy, Omaha & Kansas
City Railways.
The climate is mild and well suited to general farming. The
mean annual temperature is about 53° F. The average annual pre-
cipitation of about 35 inches is well distributed throughout the year.
There is a normal growing season of 160 days.
The agriculture of the county consists principally of general farm-
ing and stock raising. Dairying is becoming important. Practi-
SOIL SURVEY OF" DEKALB COUNTY, MISSOURI. 25
cally all the live-stock and dairy products are marketed in St. Joseph.
Corn is the most important cultivated crop. Oats are grown on
nearly every farm for home use. Wheat is an important crop on
the level prairie lands, and its acreage is gradually being increased.
Timothy and clover are grown extensively. The county is noted for
its excellent bluegrass pastures. Owing to improved methods of
farming crop yields are increasing.
The 1910 census reports 2,18G farms in Dekalb County. The aver-
age size of the farms is given as 120.5 acres. Of the total land area
of the county, about 97 per cent is in farms, and of the farm land
about 93 per cent is improved. The average value of farm land in
1910 is given as $G8.44 an acre. About 07 per cent of the farms are
operated by the owners and practically all the remainder by tenants.
The glacial soil, represented by the Shelby loam type, comprises
about G7 per cent of the upland of the county. It is characterized by
a dark surface soil and heavy clay subsoil. It is productive and well
adapted to corn, grass, and other staple crops.
The loessial soils include the Grundy and Marshall silt loams. The
Grundy silt loam and its rolling phase are excellent grass and small-
grain soils, all under cultivation. The Marshall silt loam is very pro-
ductive and is highly prized for corn, grass, and alfalfa.
Owing to its small extent and rough topography, the Crawford
silt loam is a negligible factor in the agi'iculture. It is derived from
resistant limestone beds along the deeper stream cuts, mainly in the
eastern part of the county. Practically all the soil is forested.
The alluvial soils are classed with the "Wabash series. Although
subject to occasional overflow, they comprise some of the most pro-
ductive land in the county. They are used for the production of
corn almost exclusively, but are well adapted to grass, wheat, and,
where well drained, to alfalfa.
o
.LA MAP LIBRARY
RLE LFTT-P
[rUBLTC RESOT-tlTION No. 9.]
JOINT I5ESOLUTION Amon<lin« public resolution niimlforod oi};li(. l-'ifly sixlli Congress,
second sossion, approved Kebruary twenty-third, nineteen hundred and one, " providinj;
for the print inK annually of the report on lield operations of the Division of Soils,
I)epartment of Aj,Ticulturc."
Resolved hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the United fitates of
America in Congress assembled, That public resolution ininihorpd <'i;.'lit, Fifty-
sixth Congress, second se.ssion, approved Feliruary twenty-third, ninetiH^n hun-
dred and one, be amended by striking out all after the resolving clause and
inserting in lieu thereof the following:
That there .shall be printed ten thousand five hundred copies of the report on
field operations of the Division of Soils, Department of Agriculture, of which
one thousand five hundred copies shall he for the use of the Senate, three
thousand copies for the use of the House of Representatives, and six thousand
copies for the use of the Department of Agriculture: Provided, That in addition
to the number of copies above provided for there shall be printed, as soon as
the manuscript can be prepared, with the necessary n)aps and illustrations to
accompany it, a report on each area surveyed, in the form of advance sheets,
bound in pai>er covers, of which five hundred copies shall be for the tiso of eacli
Senjitor from the State, two thousand copies for the use of each Ri'presentiitive
for tlie congressional district or districts in whicli the survey is made, and one
tliousaiid copies for the u.se of the Department of Agriculture.
Approved, Manh 14, IDlM.
[on .luly ], i;»01, the Division of Soils was reor{,'auized a.s llie I'.ureau of Soils.]
Areas surrcyed in Missouri,