The Bulletin 21 



eroded hillsides. The several rock formations are composed largely of 

 feldspar and quartz, with some mica and hornblende. In some places 

 on the slopes and knolls the finer material has been carried away in 

 suspension by rainwater, leaving a looser and deeper layer of sandy 

 material. 



A large percentage of this type has been cleared and is now under 

 cultivation, though a few bodies of merchantable timber exist. The 

 forest growth consists of white, red, and post oak, hickory, considerable 

 heart pine, and loblolly pine, together with a little poplar, sourwood, 

 dogwood, sweet gum, and cedar. The second growth is mainly old field 

 pine, interspersed with sweet gum, oak, and cedar. 



The Cecil sandy loam in all its phases and variations is a mellow and 

 easily tilled soil, one which warms up early in the spring and which 

 invites the use of labor-saving machinery. It may be rightly termed 

 the main trucking soil of the piedmont plateau in Worth Carolina. It 

 could be used more extensively near Charlotte for the production of 

 market garden crops for the city market. This would be a profitable 

 business. The more sandy areas are peculiarly suited to the production 

 of early truck crops, and also sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, peanuts, 

 berries, melons, fruits, and tobacco, while the shallower and heavier 

 areas are well adapted to the growing of cotton, corn, oats, cowpeas, and 

 crimson clover. 



Practically all crops common to the county are grown to a greater or 

 less extent. Cotton, however, is the principal crop. The yields range 

 from one-third to one bale per acre, averaging about two-thirds of a bale 

 with good cultivation and liberal fertilization. The big-boll varieties do 

 well on this type. Corn is the second crop in importance and its growth 

 is well distributed over the type, and yields from 12 to 20 bushels per 

 acre ordinarily, but by deeper plowing, more thorough cultivation, and 

 liberal fertilization or manuring, 40 to 60 bushels per acre may be easily 

 produced. Considerable areas of oats are sown, but only a little wheat. 

 Rye does well. Cowpeas are extensively grown, mainly for hay, and 

 from % ton to II/2 tons are secured per acre. Some peas are produced 

 for seed. Sweet potatoes yield from 100 to 300 bushels per acre. Fre- 

 quent patches and occasional small fields are devoted to peanuts. Sor- 

 ghum is grown to a limited extent for making sirup for home use. The 

 yield is not quite as large as on the heavier soils, but the quality is fine. 

 Watermelons make a strong growth, some of the melons weighing as 

 much as 80 pounds. Irish potatoes, cabbage, beans, cantaloupes, and 

 truck crops, such as tomatoes, lettuce, onions, strawberries, turnips, 

 radishes, and other garden vegetables, give good returns. Peaches, pears, 

 cherries, apples, and figs are commonly seen around the homes. A few 

 patches of alfalfa have been sown, and when inoculated, well manured, 

 and limed, and the soil finely pulverized to a depth of 8 to 12 inches, 

 good returns may be expected. Crimson clover is grown to some extent 

 and more should be sown. 



