PIT#2

Ap--0 to18.5 cm; very dark brown (10YR 2/2), moist; loamy sand; medium, subangular to subrounded, .7 sphericity, poorly sorted, mostly quartz with feldspar and other crystalline lithologies; weak fine to medium crumb; very friable, non-sticky, non-plastic; common to many fine roots (<3 mm), common large roots (3 to 10 mm), 10 to 18.5 cm contains 75% of the roots in this horizon; no HCl reaction; abrupt smooth boundary.

  Bw--18.5 to 41-50 cm; dark brown (7.5YR 3/2), moist; loamy sand; medium to coarse, subangular to subrounded, .7 sphericity, poorly sorted, mostly quartz with feldspar and other crystalline lithologies; weak fine to medium crumb; loose; few fine roots; clasts: 0.5 to 2 cm, 2%, subangular to subrounded, no orientation, basalt, granite, metamorphic lithology; no HCl reaction; gradual irregular boundary.

  BC1--41 to 50 cm; dark brown (7.5YR 3/4), moist; loamy sand; medium to coarse, subangular to subrounded, .7 sphericity, poorly sorted, mostly quartz with feldspar and other crystalline lithologies; weak fine to medium crumb; loose; few fine roots; clasts: 1 to 3 cm, 2%, subangular to subrounded, no orientation, basalt, granite, metamorphic lithology; no HCl reaction; gradual wavy boundary.

  BC2--50 to 75 cm; brown (7.5YR 4/4), moist; loamy sand; medium to coarse, subangular to subrounded, .9 sphericity, moderately to poorly sorted, mostly quartz with feldspar and other crystalline lithologies; loose; few fine roots; clasts: 1 to 3 cm, 2%, subangular to subrounded, no orientation, basalt, granite, metamorphic lithology; no HCl reaction; gradual wavy boundary.

  BC3--75 to 100 cm; strong brown (7.5YR 4/6), moist; sand; coarse, subangular to subrounded, .9 sphericity, moderately to poorly sorted, mostly quartz with feldspar and other crystalline lithologies; loose; few fine roots; clasts: 1 to 3 cm, 2%, subangular to subrounded, no orientation, basalt, granite, metamorphic lithology; no HCl reaction; gradual smooth boundary.

  C1--100 to 120 cm; yellowish brown (10YR 5/6), moist; sand; coarse, subangular to subrounded, .9 sphericity, moderately to poorly sorted, mostly quartz with feldspar and other crystalline lithologies; loose; no HCl reaction; abrupt smooth boundary.

  C2--120 to 125 cm; yellowish brown (10YR 5/6), moist; gravelly sand; sand coarse to very coarse, subangular to subrounded, .9 sphericity, moderately to poorly sorted, mostly quartz with feldspar and other crystalline lithologies; clasts: 1 to 10 cm, 80%, rounded to subangular, horizontal orientation, includes granite, volcanics, banded iron; loose; no HCl reaction; abrupt smooth boundary.

  R--125 to ? cm; quartz sandstone bedrock in place; horizontally bedded; medium to coarse, moderately sorted.

Pit #2 is located at the base of a steep slope on a slope of 0 to 6%.  This location is a small clearing that was once used for cultivating corn.

Using the new data from the NRCS, the profile of pit #2 best fits the description of Scotah soil.  Also, pit #2 is located in the Scotah unit on the NRCS map (Meyer, personal communication 2001).  The high flat, with an elevation between 600 and 900 feet, has a slope of 0 to 3%.  Our pit has horizons, colors, and textures similar to those of Scotah soil.  Due to the high sand content of our soil, it is well-drained with rapid permeability.  Corn cultivation is also common.   

Using the old data from the Soil Survey of Dunn County, Wisconsin, the profile of pit #2 best fits the description of Plainbo soil (ref).  This is based on the fact our pit has horizons, colors, textures, and slope features similar to those of Plainbo soil.  The water capacity of this soil is low, and it has rapid permeability.  Plainbo soil is commonly used for corn cultivation, as was the area including and surrounding our pit.  There is underlying sandstone bedrock, which is also consistent with the description of typical Plainbo soil.