12 SOILS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. 



stable manure is applied in a deep trench thrown open for that pur- 

 pose. After the manure is placed in the bottom of the trench, a thin 

 covering of the soil from the sides of the trench is thrown upon it. 

 Upon this soil covering any commercial fertilizer, selected by the 

 grower, is applied, and the crop is later planted. During this proc- 

 ess of preparation the earth is worked back over the manure until a 

 low ridge is formed. 



Interplanting of crops and successive plantings of crops maturing 

 at different seasons enable the experienced trucker to get the full 

 benefit of this intensive form of land preparation, and not infre- 

 quently land which is planted to such crops as early peas or beans 

 may again be prepared, after the removal of the trucking crop, and 

 a standard crop of potatoes, tomatoes, or other vegetables grown 

 during the same season. Thus the benefits of the heavy application 

 of stable manure are secured throughout the year upon successive 

 crops. Some truckers habitually follow the early vegetable crop 

 with a crop of cowpeas, to be used for forage purposes. In such 

 instances a considerable restoration of organic matter to the soil is 

 accomplished through the plowing under of the roots and stubble of 

 the cowpea crop, thus lessening the amounts of organic manures 

 which must be purchased. 



Fruit crops. Peaches are the most important fruit grown upon 

 the Orangeburg fine sand. The orchard sites must be selected with 

 care. Consideration must be given not only to the internal drainage 

 of the soil and subsoil but also to the elevation and surface configura- 

 tion of the field, in order that proper exposure and slope may be 

 secured to insure good air drainage. The slope must not be too steep, 

 otherwise erosion is liable to become a serious problem. Low rolling 

 ridges are best suited to peach orcharding, where the surface sandy 

 soil is sufficiently loose, warm, and dry to promote the rapid 

 growth of the trees during the first years after planting. The same 

 factors also favor the production of a highly colored and flavored 

 fruit. The sandy clay subsoil is at the same time sufficiently near 

 the surface to permit of the penetration of the deeper tree roots, in- 

 suring long-continued tree growth and an adequate moisture supply 

 during the annual period of wood growth and of fruiting. 



Plums are being planted extensively in the northeast Texas region 

 upon the Orangeburg fine sand, with reasonably successful results. 

 It is probable that grapes would also do well if varieties suited to 

 southern climates should be set upon this type. 



Special crops. The introduction of the Cuban type of cigar filler 

 tobacco into the Gulf portion of the United States has led to experi- 

 mentation with various soils to determine which are best suited to 

 its production. Thus far the soils of the Orangeburg series have 

 proven themselves superior to any others for this type of tobacco. 



