The Bulletin 



33 



rite (about Vo per cent ). apatite, feldspar, liurubleiide, and mica. These 

 rocks differ from those giving the Cecil soils, and hence the soils derived 

 from them are markedly different. 



Most of the Mecklenburg clay loam has been cleared and is under 

 cultivation. Johnson grass is indigenous, growing wild in many places 

 and being cut for hay or pastured. This soil is especially adapted to 

 clovers, vetches, soybeans, and the red areas to alfalfa. It is also a good 

 soil for cotton, wheat, corn, and oats. Cotton yields from one-half to 

 one bale, corn from 20 to 40 bushels, oats from 20 to 40 bushels, and 

 wheat from 12 to 20 bushels per acre. Larger yields of all crops can 

 be easily secured, and in some instances as much as 60 bushels of corn 

 and iy2 bales of cotton have been produced. Johnson grass and Japan 

 clover furnish excellent pasturage, though it is said that continual pas- 

 turing of the former will kill it in two or three years. It makes its best 

 development in the cultivated fields. Kainit gives hetter results than 

 any other fertilizer. It prevents in a large measure the "frenching" of 

 corn and the "rusting" of cotton. Little or no rust occurs over large 

 areas where the subsoil extends to depths of 3 or 4 feet or more. Some 

 complaint is heard that cotton rusts when planted after cowpeas, but 

 those who use kainit liberally have no trouble from this disease. 



The Mecklenburg clay loam is naturally a very strong and productive 

 soil and one which can be built up to a high state of productivity by 

 proper farm management. Deep fall plowing, so as to allow the clay to 

 freeze and thaw during the winter, will greatly improve the physical 

 condition of the soils. The growing of legumes and the use of phos- 

 l)hatic fertilizers and lime will be found profitable. 



Land of this type of soil where well improved sells for $35 to $75 an 

 acre. Where the improvements are nominal, farms may be had for $25 

 to $40 an acre. 



The following table gives the average results of mechanical analyses 

 of the soil and subsoil and a single analysis of the lower subsoil of the 

 Mecklenburg clay loam : 



AVERAGE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF MECKLENBURG CLAY LOAM. 



