The majority of the soil in Foster County has been broken down and brought into the area by wind, water, or ice. It has a darker surface than any other upland soil in the United States. This is due to the large accumulation of black organic matter or humus in the surface soils.
The native vegetation is tall and short grasses, now largely replaced by cultivation. The next layer is brown loam which is four to twelve inches thick. Below this is a lime zone and below that is a layer of highly calcerous glacial drift. In some areas the loam tends to be silty and sandy. It is classified in the Barnes‑Parnell soil area. The Parnell soils are water logged associates of the Barnes and occur in nearly all parts of the area in poorly drained depressions. Most of these depressions are part of the old glacial lake bottomlands.
A soil survey was made of the Carrington area in 1905. This survey divided the soil into ten distinct types. They are as follows:
1. The Marshall loam: has an average depth of about ten inches, a dark‑brown friable loam, underlain usually by a grayish‑brown silt clay, becoming slightly yellow in the lower depths. This type is found in all parts of the area occupied by moraines and in the level prairie along the courses of the streams. It also occurs between areas of Marshall silt loam and Marshall stony loam along the James River and in the vicinity of Pipestem Creek and south and west of Carrington. The porous subsoil gives adequate subdrainage, which is likely to be excessive in season of slight rainfall.
The Marshall loam is of glacial origin. The principal crops are wheat, flax, barley, rye, oats, hay, potatoes, sunflowers and the hilly areas are largely used for pastures.
2. Marshall Silt Loam: ranges from 10 to 16 inches in depth consisting of a dark‑brown to black silt loam resting upon a yellowish‑brown silty clay subsoil, usually several feet in depth. The Marshall silt loam is by far the most extensive soil mapped. One of these bodies occupies the level land between Baldhill creek and the hilly region along the James River, and a second occupies the major portion of the prairie west of Bordulac. That portion which lies in the eastern part of the survey has somewhat heavier soil than found west of the James River. Near Bordulac and in the vicinity of Carrington area are found soils consisting of about 14 inches of black silt loam with a small percentage of sand. The subsoil is silty clay, varying in color from light brown to white. The lighter soil is not quite as productive as those of the darker color.
The origin of the Marshall Silt loam dates back to glacial times. This type retains moisture and is one of the most valuable soils in the area.
The Marshall Silt loam has been devoted mainly to the growing of small grains; though well adapted to a variety of crops. Alfalfa has done well, while other grasses have given excellent results.
3. Clyde Loam: soil is of a varying texture, ranging from a dark‑brown loam to black clay loam with an average depth of ten inches. The subsoil is usually a gray drab‑colored clay about 30 inches deep below which are frequently found thin layers of coarse sand.
Clyde Loam is of wide distribution throughout the area, occurring as numerous low depressions ranging from a few rods in extent to several hundred acres. The type marks the location of old lakebeds, lying below the general level of the prairie, always poorly drained. Around the margin of these old lakes well‑marked beaches frequently occur to as much as 20 feet in height, composed of coarse sand, gravel and large glacial boulders. For centuries these lakebeds have received the drainage of the surrounding prairie and have no outlets. Evaporation is the only removal agent; hence, the salts held in solution by the waters of the lake were left behind and have collected in the low places as a white effervescence on the surface. As a rule alkali is not in sufficient quantities to interfere seriously with the growing of crops. The type in favorable seasons support a luxuriant growth of native grasses; but if the rains come late in the spring the grasses do not make a vigorous growth, often the soil is too wet for the grasses to be harvested.
4. Marshall Fine Sand: is an incoherent, dark brown or black fine sand slightly loamy, due to presence of organic matter. The soil, on account of its loose texture, is easily transported by the wind. Only a small percentage of the Marshall fine sand is under cultivation.
5. Marshall Fine Sandy Loam: to an average depth of 14 inches, is a dark‑brown or black loam or fine sandy loam, color due to amount of organic matter. This is under laid with a yellowish‑brown find sandy loam, grading to a lighter color which may extend to depth of six feet. This soil usually occurs in small patches in the vicinity of Pipestem creeks and another occupying parts of three sections south and west of Melville. The soil is of glacier origin, although the winds may have been a factor in its disposition. It is especially adapted to growing of Irish potatoes; likewise, corn does well.
6. Wabash Loam: not more than seven inches in depth, is a dark‑brown friable loam, with a considerable mixture of sand and silt, underlain by a subsoil usually of the same texture and color as the soil, but lighter in color below the second foot. Only very small patches of the Wabash loam are found along the river.
7. Carrington Clay Loam: seldom exceeds ten inches in depth, is dark‑brown to black clay loam underlain to 40 inches with a yellowish‑brown silty or sandy clay. Below this is a brownish‑yellow clay, with an occasional thin layer of coarse sand. This type is found in the narrow valley of the Pipestem creek and hay sloughs in the western part of the area. Its origin is sedimentary, usually beds of former lakes. The Carrington clay loam is the only soil in the area seriously affected with alkali; though not in sufficient quantity to interfere seriously with the growing of native grasses.
8. Marshall Gravelly Loam: contains a high percentage of rounded quartz and granitic gravel, ranging from one‑half inch to two inches in diameter. This type is found only in small area on the summits of the higher hills and ranges and owing to its rough topography, this type is used little for cultivation.
9. Marshall Stony Loam: is usually a dark‑brown fine sandy loam or loam, with an average depth of about ten inches. The subsoil as a rule is a light brown silty loam or silty clay, extending many feet in depth. Granitic glacial boulders of enormous size are to be found embedded in the soil. In some instances, almost for a pavement over the surface of the collected in the low places as a white effervescence ground.
While the type is found in a number of irregular patches, only two areas are marked. The largest occurs along the banks of the James River. The next most extensive area is along the foothills of the Missouri Plateau, in the southwestern corner of Foster County. The surface is very rough and broken. The origin is purely glacial.
10. Meadow: is composed largely of coarse sand, underlain with gravel, shale and cobblestones, with a subsoil of loose texture. This type is found along the James River and the southwest corner of the county.
The "Soil Analysis of North Dakota" from the "Compedius of History and Biography of North Dakota" describes the Foster County soil in this way:
1. Adaptability to readily imbibe and retain moisture.
2. Silica in it soluble state useable for plants necessary for cereal crops.
3. 4% ferric acid ‑ necessary to make clay lands more tillable
4. 8% clay ‑ important for supply of potash, lime and other substances necessary for wheat."
Soil is a thin layer at the earth's surface that will support the growth of plants of all kinds. It is one of the most important resources of any country. It takes thousands of years with conditions that are just right to produce soil. Farmers have discovered the need of good conservation practices to preserve this natural resource.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 1