USA > Missouri > Bates County > History of Bates County, Missouri > Part 10
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The Summit silt loam is one of the most important soil types of the area. The surface soil is uniformly very dark gray or black, rather heavy silt loam which may vary in depth from six to twenty inches, though averaging about ten inches deep. A distinguishing character-
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HISTORY OF BATES COUNTY
istic of this material is its constant tendency to granulate or break up into small aggregates, with the result that it does not run together, pack, bake, or crack. The subsoil is quite variable. Immediately below the surface soil, usually at about ten inches, the material becomes lighter colored and slightly heavier, though maintaining the granular structure to about twenty inches, at which point granulation usually disappears and the clay content increases rapidly with depth, the deeper portion being a yellowish or greenish tinged, gray silty clay, or clay loam very similar to the deep subsoil of the Oswego silt loam. An extensive phase of the subsoil occurs in which the material is not heavier than a clay loam and the color a yellowish-gray mottled with reddish brown or brownish red. The granular structure is maintained to some extent in this phase throughout the soil profile. Outcrops of limestone rock are frequently found and small, rounded chert gravel are locally dissemi- nated through the subsoil. Small iron concretions also frequently occur and are largely responsible for the mottled condition of the phase.
Though there is no township in which some of this type does not occur, the most extensive areas lie to the south and east of Butler and in the northeast part of the county.
The topography is generally rolling, the type occupying narrow ridges and slopes and higher mounds. It occasionally continues over rather flat areas lying between ridges, and flat areas also occur on the type of the higher elevations. The prevailing topography insures fairly thorough natural drainage, but the character of the soil is such that water does not penetrate it as rapidly as is often desired, and in many places tile drainage would be very beneficial, not only in removing sur- plus water, but in aerating the soil.
The greater part of the type occurs in the breaks of streams, where the elevations are from eight hundred fifty to nine hundred feet or below that of the greater part of the Oswego silt loam, though the areas in the northwest corner and around the mounds lie above the greater part of the latter type, the elevations there being from nine hundred fifty to one thousand feet.
Locally, the Summit silt loam is known as "black limestone land" implying that it is derived from limestone rock, which, however, is not the case. It is a residual soil formed from strata of shale, above and below which occur thin strata of limestone which frequently outcrop and give the type its local name. The limestone has probably con- (8)
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HISTORY OF BATES COUNTY
tributed some material to the soil, but the proportion of such material is relatively small. The uniformly dark or black color of the soil is probably due more or less to the thin layer of black shale which imme- diately underlies the limestone. In low spots on some of the more level areas of this type a white crust was seen closely resembling alkali, but these areas were small and of little consequence.
This is the best upland corn soil in the county and is usually so regarded. The mellow surface, good drainage, and heavy subsoil fit it especially for this crop. By many it is considered the best wheat soil of the area also, but if Oswego silt loam is properly handled it will prob- ably outrank this soil in the quality and yield of wheat.
That portion of the type originally timbered produces good tobacco. Just what influence the timber has had is not understood, but the fact remains that where timber has stood the soil will produce good tobacco, while the prairie will not.
Bates silt loam .- The soil of the Bates silt loam is a loose, mellow silt loam of a dark-gray color to a depth of eight to ten inches, at which depth it becomes a yellowish-gray, mellow silt loan. When wet this material has a peculiar mushy feel, but when puddled and allowed to dry it becomes very hard and compact. The deeper portion of the surface soil, which apparently contains less organic matter than the overlying material, has a tendency to run together. There is frequently a rapid graduation between the subsurface soil and the subsoil which is found at a depth of twenty to thirty-six inches. It is a yellow and red mottled clay which becomes slightly heavier with depth, and is seldom plastic or sticky though frequently somewhat tenacious. When dry it becomes quite hard and impenetrable. The heaviest phase approaches closely the mottled subsoil phase of the Summit silt loam and in places where a part of the surface soil has been removed by erosion the land is likely to be confused with the Boone silt loam. The largest area of Bates silt loam lies in the vicinity of Hudson, in the southeastern part of the county. It occurs, however, in all parts of the county associated with the Oswego silt loam. It lies both immediately above and below that type, particularly in its lowest lying areas, and is separated from it by rather distinct boundaries. It is also frequently associated with the Bates loam, areas too small to be shown on the map being quite com- monly developed in that type.
Areas of this soil form hill slopes, narrow ridges, and low eleva- tions, along the breaks and streams, and in low places in the main body of the Oswego silt loam. While its topography for the most part favors
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HISTORY OF BATES COUNTY
thorough drainage, along the boundaries with the Oswego silt loam it is very frequently wet and soggy, owing to the accumulation of seepage waters which flow out of the latter soil along the surface of the com- pacted subsoil. The same conditions are found where water is obstructed in its downward course by shale and sandstone strata in the subsoil of the Bates loam. So far but little effort has been made to tile drain these seepy areas, though this would be entirely feasible.
The Bates silt loam is a residual soil formed by the disintegration of soft shale which immediately underlies it. The material is closely allied to the Oswego silt loam, but being modified by drainage condi- tions has developed its characteristic differences. Much of this soil was originally timbered, though some was also in prairie. Most of it has been cleared, but along the streams some hickory, sycamore, and oak still remain.
The ease with which the soil can be cultivated, its rather heavy subsoil, and ability to hold fertilizers make it a popular and valuable soil for general farming.
The Crawford silt loam, locally known as "red land," consists of about ten inches of dark brownish gray to dark-brown silt loam, under- lain by a rather dark brownish-red subsoil, which becomes heavier and more intense in color with depth until at thirty-six inches it is a nearly red, somewhat plastic and sticky clay. Except for the slight brownish cast the soil closely resembles that of Summit silt loam, being granular and mellow, which makes it easily tilled. It is usually well supplied with organic matter.
The subsoil is underlain with limestone rock which is frequently struck in boring at from twenty-four to thirty-six inches. The type is frequently found in isolated areas within bodies of the Summit silt loam, particularly in the region north of Pleasant Gap and in the north- west part of the county.
Stratigraphically the most of the type is developed immediately above the shale which gives rise to the Summit silt loan and below the shale from which the Bates loam and the Oswego silt loam are derived. It is found on gentle slopes and narrow ridges and has a level to undulating topography and good natural drainage. The subsoil is no doubt true limestone material derived from the underlying rock, but the soil represents a mixture of shale material washed from, or the rem- nants of, the Summit silt loam or Oswego silt loam, with material of limestone origin.
The type is now practically all under cultivation or in pasture or
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HISTORY OF BATES COUNTY
mowing. It has all the essential characteristics of a corn soil and is considered by many as the best corn-producing soil of the area. The yields are about the same as on the Summit silt loam. Corn yields thirty-five to forty bushels, wheat twelve to eighteen bushels, oats fif- teen to twenty bushels, and hay one to one and one-half tons to the acre.
The Bates loam is more or less variable in its texture and color as well as in depth. The typical soil consists of about eight inches of loose structured light loam, which is brown when moist, but becomes a light gray when thoroughly dry, though often the color is a very dark gray to almost black. The texture is often very fine, closely resembling the Bates silt loam and also the Boone fine sandy loam, and areas too small to map of both of these types occur within the boundaries of the Bates loam. The soil is usually mellow and easily tilled, but after heavy rains there is a tendency to form a surface crust which, however, is easily broken up.
The subsoil is usually a solid buff color, though areas with mottled red and yellow occur. The texture is usually a fine sandy clay loam or clayey loam, quite gritty from its sand content and yet made sticky by clay. The percentage of silt is relatively low. Arenaceous shale resembling in color the subsoil is encountered at depths ranging from eighteen to forty-eight inches. This material is soft and appears very sandy, but on crumbling and rolling between the fingers becomes very fine.
The largest areas of the Bates loam lie east of Butler, around Sprague and in the vicinity of Foster. It is also extensively developed in the northeast corner. It usually occupies ridges and knolls and in the rougher sections occurs as a distinct terrace. It is found to a slight extent on slopes and in flat areas near the base of hills.
Stratigraphically in the hilly regions it lies immediately above the limestone soil if, developed, otherwise, it is found above the Summit clay. It is usually the highest soil, though areas of Bates silt loam and Oswego silt loam sometimes lie at a higher level. Because of its topo- graphic position and texture the natural drainage is nearly everywhere good, and on this account it outyields the other types in wet years.
The Bates loam is derived from the disintegration of arenaceous shale and sandstone strata in the main shale formation, and the varia- tions in the type are largely due to variations in the contributing material augmented by washing and drainage.
Originally areas of this soil formed a part of the prairie. It is now
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HISTORY OF BATES COUNTY
devoted to general farm crops and market gardening. Corn yields from thirty to thirty-five bushels, wheat ten to fifteen bushels, flax six to eight bushels, and oats ten to twenty bushels per acre. Considerable trucking is done, and the soil is admirably adapted to that purpose. Watermelons are produced at considerable profit.
The supply of organic matter over most of the type is deficient. The supply of humus and organic matter should be incorporated with the soil as rapidly as possible. This will increase crop production by con- serving moisture, an important matter, as the crops are likely to be injured by drought. The use of commercial fertilizers, especially in the growing of truck, has been found beneficial.
The soil is usually regarded as acid, and quite a sharp reaction was obtained in both soil and subsoil with litmus paper, indicating that rather heavy applications of lime should be made.
The Boone fine sandy loam consists of about eight inches of gray, loose structured, and rather incoherent fine sandy loam, underlain after a rapid gradation by a clayey loam or fine sandy clay loam the upper portion of which is mottled gray and buff rapidly changing to red with depth. Sandstone or arenaceous shale rock underlies the subsoil at from ten to thirty inches. Mica flakes and some sandstone and shale fragments occur in both soil and subsoil, and the latter occasionally on the surface. Owing to its friable porous texture this soil can be worked under a wide range of moisture conditions. Only a limited area of this type of soil occurs in Bates county. The largest area is found south of Butler and west of Peru. A few areas too small to be indicated on the soil map are included with the Bates loam.
The type occupies narrow ridges and rather abrupt slopes and con- sequently has very thorough drainage. It is derived from a micaceous, arenaceous shale and sandstone which are quite soft and easily crumbled. On the slopes, which are usually quite sandy, washing has probably removed some of the finer material and left the sand.
The quantity of organic matter is even less in this soil than in the Bates loam and must be greatly increased to secure the best results. In order to grow clover it will be necessary to give the fields heavy applications of lime to correct acidity, as litmus-paper tests showed the soil to be decidedly acid.
Our readers will understand that every reference in the following to the Osage river bottoms should be read Marais des Cygnes. The soil surveyors mapped it as the Osage river. And it should be remem-
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HISTORY OF BATES COUNTY
bered that the survey from which we are quoting liberally was made in 1908, ten years ago.
The Osage clay consists of about eighteen inches of black. heavy, silty clay or clay which grades into a bluish-drab clay subsoil. There is frequently but little change from the soil to the subsoil, both being very plastic, sticky and tenacious when wet. When dry the surface becomes quite granular and mellow. In the vicinity of old lake beds the sub- soil is slightly mottled with brown and is not quite so heavy as over the greater part of the type.
This is a bottom-land soil found in the wide bottoms of the Osage river, in the narrow bottoms of the Grand river along the northeast boundary of the county, and in two small areas in the Miami creek bottoms. It occupies the lowest levels in the county and the topography is flat. The areas are usually lower near the bluffs and higher near the streams, from which they are separated by a narrow band of Osage silt loam. The soil has been formed by the deposition of the finer sedi- ments carried by the several streams along which it is found. Its black color is due to the accumulation of relatively large quantities of decay- ing vegetable remains, mostly the stems and roots of coarse grasses.
The greater part of the Osage clay is now covered with a rank growth of prairie grass, which is usually cut. Some parts support for- ests of water-loving oaks and pecan. In the timbered areas the soil is somewhat looser in structure, and the surface is usually gullied. Such areas if cleared would be difficult to cultivate.
Underdrainage, although expensive on account of the need of run- ning the drains at close intervals, is particularly advantageous in having the close structural characteristic of the Osage clay, as it tends to make the soil more open and friable.
This is a typical corn soil. Though not much corn has yet been produced on it, with thorough drainage yields of seventy-five to one hundred bushels per acre may be expected. Unless it is found that wheat makes too rank a growth the land should also produce large yields of that grain. It will probably be difficult to make it suitable for alfalfa. Some broom corn is produced on the type but it is too coarse to be of first quality.
The Osage silt loam is the most variable type of soil in the county. The surface soil is usually a light gray, slightly compact, silt loam rang- ing in depth from eight to twenty-four inches. This material in most instances grades into a heavy silt loam subsoil of somewhat darker
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HISTORY OF BATES COUNTY
color, though it may be underlain by a drab clay loam or in some cases by a black clay. The areas of any one phase are so small that separa- tion seemed impossible, and characteristics other than being a light- colored silt loam on the surface were ignored in mapping. Some small spots of loam were found, but their total area was so small that a separation was not made.
The type occurs in all the stream bottoms and is broken in the wider bottoms only by the Osage clay. Along the Grand and Osage rivers it occupies the slightly elevated land next to the stream channels. It is largely alluvial material deposited in times of overflow, but some areas adjoining the upland probably contain material which has been washed down over the Osage clay and now forms the subsoil. Alfalfa should do particularly well. Some of the type would be benefited by tile drainage and by incorporating vegetable matter in the soil.
Twelve types of soil were mapped in the county. Most of these were residual, or derived from underlying rock formation. The others were alluvial soils, forming the bottoms along the streams.
The Oswego silt loam, locally known as "white ashy clay" is the predominant type, and occupies level or undulating uplands. It is well adapted to wheat, oats and hay. The type is deficient in organic matter, and the drainage should be improved.
The Summit silt loam, called "black limestone land," is not a lime- stone soil, but is derived from shale. It is a typical corn soil, and wheat also yields well. The Crawford silt loam is a reddish limestone soil with good drainage. It is an excellent corn soil.
The Bates loam and the Boone fine sandy loam, locally called "sandy soils." are adapted to market gardening and are so used.
The Summit clay is a heavy black soil of relative small extent and is mostly timbered.
The Bates silt loam is a brownish-gray soil with a mottled sub- soil. It occurs along slopes near streams and is a good grass and gen- eral farming soil.
The Sedgwick black clay loam would be a corn soil if well drained.
The Boone silt loam is of relatively small importance, occurring as timbered land along streams.
CHAPTER VIII.
RESOURCES OF BATES COUNTY.
TIMBER-CHANGE OF OPINION-"THE PRAIRIE"-STRIP COAL MINING-UNCULTI- VATED LAND-BLUEGRASS-"SCRUB STOCK"-STOCK PRODUCTION-FERTIL- IZERS-HORTICULTURE-WILD FRUITS-NUTS-WATER - FISH - BUILDING MATERIALS-CLAYS-KAOLIN-COAL-ASPHALTUM, ROCK OIL, AND GAS- IRON ORE-PAINT BOULDERS-POULTRY-CORN.
Many of the early pioneer settlers of Bates county probably crossed the Missouri river in their "prairie schooners" on the old ferry boat at Boonville, and began to feel quite joyful as they were nearing the "promised land," their future home, and we can imagine they started singing an improvised song; possibly one commencing like this:
Old Missouri's muddy stream, We've just now crossed it o'er, To find a home beyond its banks, And gather friends of yore.
Many of them came from Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana and other timbered states and naturally settled along the rivers and other timbered streams not only for the convenience of timber for building purposes and fuel, but because they believed the timbered lands had richer and deeper soil and would produce more bountiful crops, superior to the prairie lands. The county was classed as a prairie county, most of the timber lands lying along the streams; the occa- sional upland timber being mostly "scrub oak," growing less dense, hence more limbs than body and naturally was tabooed by the pioneer as being "shallow land." but is recognized today as the most valuable fruit land in the county.
As the settlement of the county increased the prairie lands were reduced to farms, generally, with most satisfactory results. It is true, in some localities the soil was thin, thought not to contain sufficient loam to produce bountiful harvests, and in fact did not respond to the crude cultivation then given to it. Yet these same lands, with modern farm machinery, subsoiling, rotation of crops, and other up-to-date
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HISTORY OF BATES COUNTY
improvements in the science of agriculture, gained through our State Agricultural College, experimental farms and practical information regarding the chemical constituents of the soil and its special adapta- tion to certain cereals and grasses and the kinds of fertilizers to be used, have, under the management of thorough-going farmers, men who own these lands and are in Bates county to make their homes and farm- ing and stock raising a business and a success, become the most val- uable lands we have.
The great change of opinion regarding the prairie lands and their ·value for agricultural and horticultural purposes can be no better expressed than in the poetic language of Eastwood, on
"The Prairie."
"All its story who can tell? To the pioneer It was.but a barren hell And a place to fear. Then a promise-and again Rippling round my feet Rise the zones of dancing grain, Fields of nodding wheat.
"All its colors who can tell ? Jasper fields of May Into gold of harvest swell On another day; Rose and gray and violet Blend in autumn glow, And in winter's coverlet Shifting, drifting snow.
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"Åll its riches who can tell? On the purple haze Which the sun and winds dispell Stand the ranks of maize ; Pastures broad their verdure yield For the well fed kine, And I reap from dark earth's field Food for me and mine."
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HISTORY OF BATES COUNTY
In the strip coal mining districts of southern Bates county where the earth has been turned topsy-turvey to the depth of from five to ten and fifteen feet, melon vines have been known to produce melons from ten to forty pounds in weight, volunteers at that, and no cultiva- tion. What might squashes and pumpkins, or any vegetable or cereal with cultivation produce on lands turned up to the frosts of winter and sun and rains of the spring and summer through deep plowing and subsoiling, and thereby allowing it to evaporate any deleterious chemical contents and at the same time gathering in the needed chemi- cal fertilizers that the atmosphere is known to have in store and ever ready to part with when conditions are made susceptible? Our thrifty farmers are rapidly taking advantage of the knowledge of these methods and means of knowledge gained through valuable farm - journals and state and federal bulletins.
"You can really have no notion of how successful they will be When the farmer digs up the earth, sows the seed, and plants the tree. Post up; get down to modern farming, do every thing you can To plant and reap in season and hustle the hired man."
There is today but very little uncultivated land in the county; every square yard of which, under proper, modern intensive farming will produce an abundant return in any and all the ordinary crops of this latitude.
Blue grass pastures of luxuriant growth, here and there in every section of the county the homes of the dairy farmers, and pure bred cattle breeders are found. In a drive over any portion of the county during the pasturing season fine herds of the various breeds of cattle, according to the peculiar fancy of the owners, can be seen grazing and lying in the shade of the forest trees. "Scrub stock" is really a thing of the past; so thoroughly has been the reformation that Bates county is making among the leading counties of the state in fine stock. Not only in cattle is the county taking first rank but in horses, mules, sheep and swine.
While for many past years, forty and fifty bushels of corn; fifteen and thirty bushels of wheat; and fifty to sixty bushels of oats per acre, were considered good yields, today many farmers with better knowledge and more scientific farming are increasing this yield from twenty-five to fifty per cent. in some instances by the use of fertilizers. While for many years the early settlers failed to plant orchards, today
FARM SCENE IN BATES COUNTY, MISSOURI.
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HISTORY OF BATES COUNTY
orchards abound throughout the county. The many varieties of apples, cherries, pears and plum trees make rapid growths and yield heavily : while peaches and apricots bear fine fruits, the average yield, however. is only every other year. It is seldom a failure on account of the severe winters but rather the warm days of February starting the sap upwards, swelling the buds, and then later heavy frosts. There is no more certain success in the entire country for the production of small fruits; blackberries, red and black raspberries of all varieties, stand the win- ter and bear abundantly, also gooseberries, while strawberries are not made a specialty, as in the counties farther south yet those who have taken an interest in strawberry cultivation both in the clay and sandy loam soils have met with entire success. Grapes never fail. There are many gardens also where red and white currants are raised suc- cessfully but this fruit is really a more northern shrub, and requires in this latitude, some little protection from the summer sun and should be planted where partly protected by buildings, trees or other shrub- bery to insure success.
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