USA > Missouri > Cass County > History of Cass County, Missouri > Part 5
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Did the reader ever witness one of these early day prairie fires? If not, words can give but little impression of their grandeur, sublimity and awe. A conflagration from which it was perilous and fortunate to escape. A conflagration which put the most timid of the wild inhabitant
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
and the most vicious beast on the very intimate and friendly terms. The rabbit and the antelope, side by side, with the wolf, bear, lion and other cruel beasts, fled together from these flames and all huddled against one another at any spot giving protection from the fire, their common foe. The writer well remembers a prairie fire in 1858. It was doubtless worse in years prior to this date. In 1858, there was quite a settlement in localities in the county. Far into the night in the fall of 1858, the writer then a lad, heard a noise and confusion ; on awakening, he saw everybody, white and black, for we had slaves, all in intense excitement. The bell, an ordinary cow bell, could be heard in the distance, ringing out the alarm of fire. Now and then a rider would dash by giving warning of approach- ing danger. The heavens seemed to be filled with smoke, whirling in every direction. The sight extended as far as the eye could reach. Horses, men, plows and all available help were hurried to the back or outside of the field, to build protection against the coming fire. There is little hope against such destructive fires. Rain and change of wind could help. There was nothing to do but use the best available at hand. When this particular fire had passed by, practically all the rail fences about the farm were gone, the lot and yard fences only remaining. Scarcely a year passed but some farms or ranches met this fate. After such fire has passed you can see the lamb and the lion lie down together. We have seen the wolf and the antelope in the same corner of the fence.
We find in "Hauck's History of Missouri," a description of western Missouri, which applies so perfectly to our county, we adopt it practically as a whole. "The earliest adventurers uniformily record that the woods and the margins of the prairies were full of wild grapes, wild plums, red and black hawes, mulberries and pawpaws; the pecan, hickory and walnut trees were of great size in the bottoms, the chinkapin and hazel, strawberry, raspberry and blackberry also grew in great quantities in their places and seasons. These western prairies and woodland are of surpassing beauty and fertility, possessing a happy climate which, with- out fail, produces everything in abundance.
"Missouri is a land of beauty now, but, in a state of nature, before touched and too often defaced by the work of man, Missouri was a ter- restrial paradise. Indeed, nature had done everything to make the land- scape one of ravishing beauty. Nowhere else did she lavish more pro- digally her charms, excelling all that the highest art of man could create, on a scale magnificent and stupenduous, soaring knobs, grassy plateaus,
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
through which in ravines, ran crystal rivers mirroring the varied sky, lined with odorous flowers and trees forming a natural arch and often an enchanting scene. The broad alluvial bottoms along the rivers were covered with towering forest trees. Here the wild fruits were abundant, the grape, plum, persimmon, pawpaw and cherry. Early in February the maple yields its sugar. In autumn the walnut, hickory, pecan and hazel strewed the ground. The extensive prairies of west Missouri, by their vast extent and luxuriance, mocked human labor and dwarfed it into insignificance.
"It is difficult to imagine the natural beauty of this virgin landscape. The outline remains-the swelling hills, the valleys, the rocks and streams. But the picturesque clump of trees, the narrow line of woodlands here and there along the creeks, or on the isolated hill-tops, far away, are gone; then, too, bordering these prairies, the immense thickets of wild plum and the varieties of crabapples, and the matted grape vines have disappeared. From the open oak woods, crowning here and there a hill- top, the emerald prairie then gleaming to the far away horizon. There was nothing to disturb the serene repose of the scene or divert the mind. In the summer a green carpet covered the whole landscape. The high wild grass undulated in the breeze like the billows of a sea. Here the various prairie flowers, some in purple, some with creamy spikes, some in golden yellow; lilies, some in white, and others tossing and swaying their red cups in the breeze ; the gorgeous sunflower ; lobelias, some purple, some blue, and some scarlet, made fragrant when in full blossom in the summer sun, these gardens of the desert, these unshorn fields, bound- less and beautiful. Here the wild rose bloomed and blossomed. When summer was past, autumn followed with its mellow sunshine stealing through the hazy atmosphere, with trees and woods panoplied with a thousand varied colors, and with a golden glory unparalleled at any other season of the year in any other land.
"After a few killing frosts had completed their work, blasting the long grass of the prairies and rendering it combustible as tinder, came the prairie fires, filling the air with a filmy cloud for days, and at night fringing the horizon with pale red tints, at length growing into forked flames, encroaching nearer and nearer until the last tuft of withered grass disappeared. Should a sharp wind arise, these fires would spread with marvelous rapidity over the landscape, darkening the sun with smoke and filling the air with ashes and flying sparks. Before such a storm
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
no living creature could stand, and led by wonderful instinct all animals then fled to the banks of streams for cover." To fight these fires is difficult when taken in its beginning. When it has fairly started it was beyond human power to stop until it had exhausted itself by burning the burnable in its route.
In this favored park-like land all animal life flourished. The clear waters were alive with fish, the air full of birds, the woods and prairies were the haunts of wild and ferocious animals. Here, the lordly buffalo roamed in great herds. How could this garden be otherwise than full of animal life? It had lain for centuries without disturbance by the destructive white man. The aboriginal population was not familiar with firearms. They were few and scattered. Prior to the advent of the white man the aboriginals cared nothing for these animals except for furs and other matters of commerce.
It was only for actual subsistence these original Missourians enticed the fish, snared the bird, or with the silent and deadly arrow laid low the deer, elk or the buffalo. This population cared little for the vast herds of wild cattle and stags, nor for the prowling wolf and bear, and less for the flocks of turkey, partridge, quail, wild pigeon, geese and duck and other birds who flew by and homed here, nor did he molest the beaver and martin which multiplied here and all to become a source of pleasure in pursuit, and in value as furnishing useful articles of commerce for the white man. These plains furnished food for all these birds, animals and beasts. Besides the multiplied forms of food that grew, there was the wild oats on which birds and cattle and game fattened and prospered.
These descriptions are pleasant to dream of, but we must pass to what use the white man put our county to. Has his civilization bettered the condition which then existed? This race found nature's lavish gift of soil, built to the very highest quality by these conditions and fertilizers, the deposit of the ages. Our modern agriculturist scientists have analyzed these fertile soils and have given them the new names of limestone, shale and clay, etc. Be the name whatever it may we have this bounteous gift of nature for our own. We have the scientific view of our natural resources too.
CHAPTER XI.
SOILS.
DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTER-AREAS OF DIFFERENT SOILS OF THE COUNTY -ANALYSIS OF SOILS-EFFECT OF EROSION-SUMMIT SILT LOAM MOST IM- PORTANT-TREATMENT OF SOIL-TILE DRAINAGE-SOIL MATERIAL- FRIABLE SUBSOIL-CRAWFORD SILT LOAM-OSWEGO SILT LOAM-BATES LOAM-OSAGE SILT LOAM-OSAGE CLAY.
We quote largely from the report made to the general government of the United States by the officials of the "Bureau of Soils," issued in 1914. The report says, "Cass County is within the west Missouri residual plains region. The upland soils are the direct product of the weathering of the local rocks, and therefore their distribution and character are determined by the situation of these underlying rocks. The rocks con- sist of interbedded strata of limestone, shale and sandstone, of the Penn- sylvania division of the carboniferous, and dip slightly to the north and west, outcrops at the surface, are in zones having a northeast and north- west trend.
Upland soils are crawford soils, characterized by red colored sub- soil, and are derived primarily from limestone; summit soils characterized by black colored material, derived from shale and limestone; bates soils represent the decomposition products of shale and sandstone. The alluvial soils are all derived from the upland soils washed from higher ground.
AREAS OF DIFFERENT SOILS IN THE COUNTY.
Soil.
Acres.
Per cent.
Summit silt loam
248,128
60.1
Friable subsoil phase
25,798
60.1
Crawford silt loam
79,040
17.3
I
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
Osage silt loam
60,608
13.3
Bates silt loam
15,744
3.5
Osage clay
8,064
1.8
Crawford stony clay loam
7,168
1.6
Oswego silt loam
4,032
.9
Summit stony clay loam
3,712
.8
Bates loam
3,392
7
Total
455,680
1
The analysis of the soils by the general government would be instruc- tive and they are: The summit silt loam is the most important soil type in the county, comprising more than 50 per cent. of the total area. In its typical development it consists of a very dark gray or black, mellow silt loam to a depth of 12 or 15 inches, underlain by a black, crumbly silty clay loam, which at about 18 to 20 inches grades into a dark drab to black clay of a plastic, waxy, sticky character. Below, about 30 inches, the subsoil is usually mottled with yellowish brown, greenish yellow, or lighter shades of brown.
The graduation from the soil into the subsurface section is almost imperceptible, but the change from the subsurface soil to the heavy clay subsoil is rather sudden. In places the subsoil is dark brown in the upper portion and lighter brown or yellowish brown below, while in other loca- tions the color of the subsoil is nearly black to a depth of three feet, the latter condition being confined usually to the poorer drained and lower situations, while the former condition is encountered generally on the better drained acres.
The boundary between the variations based on these differences is in general marked by the escarpment representing the eastern edge of the intermediate platform or topographic division extending in a general way from the northeastern to the southwestern corner of the county. The type as found on the intermediate platform has a black or very dark gray clay subsoil. In the southeastern half of the county the type has a lighter colored subsurface soil, and a clay subsoil which is yellowish or greenish, tinged with gray. Iron concretions are occasionally found in both soil and subsoil, while fragments of chert frequently occur in exposures of the substratum, which is nearly always a yellow or grayish-yellow, heavy, plastic clay.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
A peculiar characteristic of this soil is that it does not puddle readily. Wherever the subsoil is exposed, as in stream cuts or along roads, it has a granular structure, and breaks up into cubical soil aggregates or granules. The result of this structure is that the soil does not easily run together, bake or crack. On account of the heavy subsoil, the type is not very drought resistant. To eliminate this disadvantage as much as possible, frequent shallow cultivation is necessary, especially during the last summer months.
The summit silt loam occupies nearly flat to undulating and gently rolling country, the average topography being considered more uneven than that of the Oswego silt loam, which this type closely resembles in color, texture and structure. The surface drainage is good. The streams and draws flow through shallow valleys, and the level of the plain is rarely more than 20 or 40 feet above the valley bottom. The entire extent of the type therefore is available for easy cultivation. The depth of the soil mantle is great, frequently fifty or sixty feet, and it is only on a few of the steeper slopes along the larger streams that shale or limestone outcrops at the surface.
Although occurring at varying altitudes, the type in general is char- acterized by great uniformity in texture, color and structure. There are, however, several minor variations from the typical soil. In the eastern and southeastern parts of the county, particularly around East Lynne and Creighton, and along the southern border of the county near Archie, there are poorly drained areas where the soil is notably lighter in color, owing to a lack or a peculiar condition of organic matter. These areas are con- sidered of inferior agricultural value as compared with the darker land, but the difference in crop value and in physical properties is too slight to justify a separation of this phase. It is locally known as "ashy land," but compared with the ashy land in Bates and other counties to the south it does not deserve such a term.
Near some of the streams where erosion has been active the color of the soil is considerably lighter than that of the typical soil, being a gray- ish brown or brown, and the underlying rock comes nearer the surface. There is an extensive area of this phase east of Everett along the Grand River and around Austin. Here the soil is a brown silt loam, underlain at about ten inches by light-brown silt loam, and at fourteen inches by a mottled brownish and gray silty clay loam, which at about twenty to twenty-four inches passes into a tough, plastic, heavy clay or a dark-brown
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
or dark yellowish brown color in the upper part and mottled with grayish and yellowish brown in the lower section. Shale fragments are frequently encountered in the soil and subsoil. The agricultural value of this gently rolling phase is only slightly inferior to that of the typical soil.
On some of the slopes where erosion has removed the surface soil and exposed the subsoil, the surface material frequently consists of a black or dark-gray silty clay or clay loam, underlain at about ten inches by a dark, heavy, plastic clay. These areas were not mapped separately on account of their small size and irregular distribution. They have their most extensive development northeast of Harrisonville, and mark the east- ern slope of the central escarpment where this escarpment consists of Summit silt loam. Limestone fragments are usually scattered through the soil of this phase. It is best adapted to grass and small grains. The soil is not very drought resistant and needs large applications of manure to insure good yields.
The soil material of the summit silt loam is derived mainly from shale and to a small extent from thinly bedded limestone. In places material from sandstone enters into the composition of the type. Locally this type is known as "black land" or "black limestone land," implying that it is derived from limestone, although only a small material is impor- tant in that it assists in giving the soil mellower texture and in making it more productive. The character of the material would indicate that lime- stone enters more largely into the formation of the soil as developed on the intermediate platform than it does in the lower southeastern divi- sion of the county. It is probable that for this reason the soil in the former section is considered somewhat better than that of the latter, but there are no data to substantiate this belief.
Almost all of the type was originally prairie, and when first broken the soil contained a large amount of organic matter. At present a few of the hilly areas along the streams support a growth of young oak, hickory and persimmon.
The summit silt loam is not only the most important soil type in Cass County, but in all west-central Missouri. It is prized on account of its high productivity and desirable physical and topographic features. Nearly all of the type is in a high state of cultivation and is used for the production of corn, wheat, grass and oats, which crops rank in importance in the order named. Yields range as follows: Corn, 30 to 75 bushels; wheat, 15 to 35 bushels; oats, 20 to 50 bushels; and grass,
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
1 to 21/2 tons per acre, the higher figures being approached more fre- quently than the lower. As a grass and small-grain soil the summit silt loam is especially desirable. Tobacco is grown on a commercial scale and with good results. Yields range from 1,000 to 1,600 pounds per acre. Alfalfa is not grown on the type, and on account of the heavy subsoil will not thrive unless good drainage and an abundance of plant food are provided.
Commercial fertilizers are not used, but applications of phosphatic materials would probably prove profitable. Applications of ground lime- stone would be beneficial in the poorer drained acres. In the manage- ment of this type, the most important factor is the maintenance of the organic matter supply. Whenever this constituent is lacking the nitro- gen supply is deficient and the soil more apt to puddle, which condition is unfavorable to the best physical and chemical conditions and biologic processes. This will be especially true if cropping has reduced the amount of organic matter below that necessary to maintain good tilth. Every practical means should be used to maintain the supply of organic matter. Clover or cowpeas should be grown on the land every three or four years, and the bulk of the crop turned under, either directly or after removing the seed or after feeding and bringing back all the manure. All of the straw should be returned to the land and plowed under, if not used as bedding or feed, and stalks should be chopped up and turned under, as well as weeds and trash. In this way only can the present fair supply of organic matter and its accompanying nitrogene be maintained in the soil. Such deep-rooting crops as red and mammoth clover will also tend to make the compact subsoil more porous.
The value of tile drainage has not yet been ascertained, but it is probable that it would prove profitable, especially on flat uplands and at the head of shallow draws. Where this soil is not well drained alsike will grow better than red clover. Pasturing is one of the best uses of this land. Alsike and white clover should be included in the mixture of grass seed.
The friable subsoil phase of the summit silt loam was mapped in large areas in the northwestern part of the county. It consists of a mellow, dark-brown to black silt loam, underlain at about fifteen inches by dark-brown or yellowish-brown, moderately friable or crumbly heavy silt loam to silty clay, which grades at about twenty to twenty-four inches into yellowish-brown, crumbly clay or silty clay, which is generally
80
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
heavier and mottled yellowish red, yellow, brown, and gray in the lower portion. In the smoother areas of this phase the subsoil is slightly darker and heavier than in the rolling areas. In general, the subsoil of the phase averages considerably lighter in color, being a more yellowish brown, and less plastic than the typical summit silt loam. The friable subsoil phase has a mellower soil than the main type with a very faint brownish color in many areas and for the most part it occupies a higher topographic and geologic position. The greater part of the northwest platform is occupied by this phase. Its topography is smooth to gently rolling, and practically the entire extent of it is in a high state of cultivation.
The soil material of this phase is derived chiefly from limestone and shale, the former probably entering into the formation more largely than the latter. Limestone outcrops are more numerous than in the typical soil. The presence of a larger amount of limestone material gives the soil a loamy structure and a reddish or brownish color.
The friable subsoil phase, or "mulatto soil," as it is called locally, is recognized as the best soil in the county. It is more easily kept in good condition of tilth, crops are less likely to suffer from the effects of drought, and it seems to be somewhat more productive than the typical soil. In the spring and after heavy rains the phase can be culti- vated from one to three days earlier than the typical summit silt loam. These advantages, however, are frequently counteracted by the greater washing to which the soil is subject.
Practically all of the phase was originally prairie. It is used for the production of all the staple crops common to the region and large yields are obtained. Clover and alfalfa do especially well. For fruits and certain vegetables it is unexcelled by any other soil in the county. The adoption of a rotation to include clover or alfalfa every three years is of primary importance in the management of this soil. Some crops such as cowpeas, Canada field peas, alfalfa, or clover should be turned under occasionally in order to maintain the supply of organic matter. Listing is practiced with success, but is not recommended, especially on those areas subject to erosion. Very little, if any, of this land can be bought for less than $100 an acre. Narrow bodies of Crawford silt loam, confined to the lower slopes near drainage ways and too small to map separately, were included with this phase.
The Summit stony clay loam occupies the steep, stony slopes near
81
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
streams, the sides of ridges, and isolated hillocks. In these areas thin- bedded limestone outcrops and fragments of the stone 'are scattered over the surface. The soil material is generally a yellowish, yellowish- brown, or grayish silt loam or silty clay loam to clay grading at about six or eight inches into a yellowish-brown or gray, plastic, sticky, heavy clay. At lower depths a light-yellow, plastic clay is encountered. The material is rarely over a few feet in depth, and is underlain by partially decomposed bedrock. The soil is residual from shale and limestone.
The steep slopes and the stone fragments practically preclude culti- vation of these areas. The soil material, on account of its heavy texture, is not drought resistant. The type is used almost exclusively for pasture, although a few acres are covered with a scrubby growth of oak, hickory and elm. It is probable that the better areas could be used for orchards. Both grass and clover do fairly well, and in general the best use of this stony land is for pasture.
The Crawford silt loam is locally known as "red land" on account of the characteristic red color of the soil or subsoil. Typically the soil consists of a dark-brown to reddish-brown or brown mellow silt loam which grades at about twelve to fifteen inches into a lighter colored crumbly silty clay loam. This is underlain at about eighteen to twenty inches by chocolate-red or reddish-brown to red, rather stiff, brittle clay. In places the soil ranges to nearly black. The color of the soil material depends largely on the activity of erosion and proximity to limestone outcrops. Where erosion has removed the soil leaving the subsoil exposed, and where the material is recently weathered from limestone, it has a bright-red or brown color, but when mixed with organic matter it has a much darker color.
The topography of the type varies from smooth to gently rolling or undulating the smoother areas being most extensive in the northwestern part of the county. In general, the type has a more uneven surface than the Summit silt loam. It occupies slopes along drainage ways and higher undulating areas. It is usually drained by numerous small streams which have cut down to the limestone beds, or through them, and are now bordered in places by perpendicular ledges varying in height from ten to thirty-five feet. Although practically all of the type is easily cultivated, the rock ledges render tillage difficult in places, and frequently limit the size of the fields.
The soil material is derived almost wholly from limestone, and has (6)
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
its widest distribution where the rock strata were thickest. As a rule the type is associated with rock outcrops, and in places bedrock is reached at depths varying from about ten inches to four feet. Erosion is destruc- tive in places. Most of the type was originally forested with oak, walnut, ash and locust, but practically all of it is now cleared.
The Crawford silt loam is a well-drained, good agricultural soil, well suited to the general farm crops of the region. Most farmers state that this "red land" is better than the black Summit soil, but others believe there is no difference in the agricultural value of the two types. The red soil, however, is known to be more drought resistant, more easily cultivated, and from two to eight days earlier in spring. It is an excellent corn and wheat soil, and is used almost exclusively for the production of these crops. As a tobacco, alfalfa, truck and fruit soil it is the best in the county. Corn will average thirty-five to sixty bushels and wheat fifteen to twenty-five bushels per acre. Both clover and alfalfa should be grown more extensively on the type.
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