Loam is soil composed mostly of sand (particle size > 63 µm), silt (particle size > 2 µm), and a smaller amount of clay (particle size < 2 µm). Its composition is about 40%-40%-20% concentration of sand-silt-clay, respectively. These proportions can vary to a degree, however, and result in different types of loam soils: sandy loam, silty loam, clay loam, sandy clay loam, silty clay loam, and loam. In the USDA textural classification triangle, the only soil that is not predominantly sand, silt, nor clay is called "loam". Loam soils generally contain more nutrients, moisture, and humus than sandy soils, have better drainage and infiltration of water and air than silty soils, and are easier to till than clay soils. The different types of loam soils each have slightly different characteristics, with some draining liquids more efficiently than others. For food production, a loam soil containing a small amount of organic material is considered ideal. The mineral in a loam soil ideally is about 40% sand, 40% silt and 20 lay by weight. The soil's texture, especially its ability to retain nutrients and water are crucial.

The Louisiana Midland Railway, was a Class III railroad operating in the US state of Louisiana. The branch of the Louisiana & Arkansas Railway that would become the Louisiana Midland fell under different names those names and time line are as followed:

1. Louisiana and Arkansas Railway (L&A) 1903 to 1946 owned by William Buchanan
2. Louisiana Midland Railway (LM) 1946 to 1967 owned by H.H. Holloway, Sr.
3. Illinois Central Gulf Railroad (ICG) 1967 to 1974 owned by ICG
4. Louisiana Midland Railroad (LOAM) 1974 to 1987 owned by Craig Burroughs