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504 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1922
The vegetation on 'uncultivated areas is a heavy growth of shrubs,
weeds, and grasses. The most prominent growth is the rather thick
stand of small shin oak trees (Quercus undulata). Where the surface
soil is heavy and shallow shin oak gives way to a scattering
growth of mesquite trees, interspersed with short grasses, such as
needle grass, grama grass, and a little buffalo grass.
Considerable quantities of sagebrush or wormwood (Artemisia
filifolia), and in places of yucca or bear grass appear. One of the
most prominent grasses is broom sedge (Andropogon scoparius),
associated with some other species of Andropogon. Other coarse
grasses abundant are Indian grass (Sorghastrumr nutanws), sand dropseed
(Sporobolus cryptandrus), and Eragrostis trichodes.
The uncultivated areas of the soil are utilized for grazing. Large
areas of the soil in the northeastern part of the county are included
in ranches.
The leading crops are cotton, grain sorghum, corn, and sorgo.
The average yields per acre in good seasons are about as follows:
Cotton, one-third to one-half bale; milo, 20 to 40 bushels; corn, 20
to 30 bushels; and sorgo, 4 to 6 tons. On the less rolling land the
yields of cotton, corn, and milo run a little larger. Peanuts are
grown in some sections, yielding 15 to 25 bushels of nuts and 1 ton
of hay per acre. Some vegetables, tree fruits, berries, and grapes
are produced in home gardens and orchards. Watermelons and
cantaloupes give good yields. They are grown in a small way for
home use and for the local market.
The soil drifts badly where unprotected, and plowed land is left
rough until time for planting. The steeper slopes should be terraced
where they are to be used for cultivated crops to prevent loss
of the top soil by erosion.
Land of this type at the present time (1922) sells for $25 to $60
an acre in improved farms; unimproved land is held at much lower
figures.
The soil is naturally deficient in organic matter, which should be
supplied by plowing under vegetation. Besides the ordinary benefits
of such practice its use in preventing drifting and in increasing
the moisture-holding capacity of this type should not be overlooked.
The soil responds well to barnyard manure.
Miles fine sandy loam, depression phase.-The depression phase of
the Miles fine sandy loam consists of brown or grayish-brown fine
sand or loamv fine sand, grading at about 6 inches into a reddishbrown
or brownish-red fine sand, loamy fine sand, or fine sandy loam,
which rests at about 14 to 20 inches on a subsoil of dark purplish
red clay or sandy clay. The soil and subsoil are noncalcareous.
The surface is loose and the subsoil rather hard when dry.
This phase occupies only a few areas large enough to show on the
map, though many small patches occur throughout the Miles fine
sandy loam, rolling phase, and the Miles fine sand, shallow phase.
The depression phase occurs mainly in the northern part of the
county. One of the largest areas lies about 2 miles.northeast of
Wichita School in the eastern part of the county.
As its name implies, this phase is developed in depressions or
swales. The surface is nearly flat and the run-off slow. Rain
water escapes mainly by sinking into the soil. where it is held by the
heavy subsoil. The slopes of the higher adjacent soils contribute