In north central Iowa many farms within the soil area known as the Wisconsin drift¹, include more or less of peat and so-called “alkali” soils. The peat areas may cover from one to several hundred acres. The alkali areas are much smaller, ranging from one-tenth of an acre to two acres, but they are of importance because they occur in fields otherwise satisfactorily productive.

Without special treatment, neither peat nor alkali soils will support good crop growth, but with proper management they may be made very productive.