CEREAL CULTIVATION EASTERN AREA 305 



(Fig. 86) . In the first type, the water runs off the whole 

 surface uniformly, taking soil from all parts of the field 

 alike, producing only parallel, incipient gullies. This 

 type is much less destructive and may be largely overcome 

 by different means. 



(1) Deep plowing and the incorporation of large quan- 

 tities of organic matter in the soil will check erosion 



FIG. 86. Soil erosion in Maryland. 



by greatly increased absorption of the surface water. 

 (2) Cover-crops are effective in checking the surface 

 flow. (3) In the southern states, where erosion is com- 

 mon and where the large winter precipitation is all rain, 

 much more winter cropping should be done. Rye is a 

 strong winter crop, especially good for holding the soil. 

 (4) Contour farming or terracing may sometimes be neces- 

 sary, and is already a common practice in the southern 

 and Atlantic Coast states (Fig. 87). (5) Finally it should 



