The "Slick Spots" of Middle Western Idaho with Suggestions for Their Elimination

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Abstract:

In the western part of Idaho on the lower bench lands along the Snake River valley between Glenn's Ferry and Weiser are found spots in the soil which the farmers call "slick spots," or ''gumbo spots." The former name is given to them as descriptive when they are wet, especially after the melting of the winter snows. At this time they appear slick and shiny, whereas the soil adjacent to them has the dull luster, characteristic of most soil…. The spots vary greatly in number and size and consequently in the percentage of the land which they cover. Their size is from that of a wagon wheel to more than an acre. They are usually of extremely irregular outline. They vary also in the intensity of the characteristics which render the soil unproductive. Fields with a few small spots in them lose little of their agricultural value, because the spots can be eliminated rather easily by the methods to be given later, but it is very difficult matter to reclaim some of the fields which have large spots and many of them, particularly, if the spots are bad ones. The characteristics of these spots, the elimination of which will render the soils productive, are their impermeability to water and their impenetrability to roots. The elements of plant food are usually as abundant in them as in other soils surrounding them, but the plants cannot get the nourishment, because the water cannot penetrate the soils to dissolve the plant foods, and the roots do not penetrate to the necessary depth to assure a good feeding surface, Native plants growing on these spots produce but a stunted growth and crop plants do no better when the land is brought under cultivation.

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