Yields of cotton on this plantation do not vary much from 1 bale per 

 acre on the average for a good season, but this yield is never far 

 exceeded. Average yields of corn are from 60 to 70 bushels per acre, 

 and of oats about 60 bushels, although yields of from 80 to 100 bushels 

 are occasionally secured. 



A greater diversification of crops and the introduction of some grasses 

 suited to this climate would be of much benefit. Bermuda grass is 

 grown to some extent and furnishes good pasturage while green, but 

 dies down and lies dormant during a portion of the year. It is an 

 excellent medium to arrest and prevent washing or gall spots. 



The California or bur clover grows naturally to some extent, but is 

 of little value except as a soil improver, for it dies early in the summer 

 a'nd is little relished by stock. Many roots of this plant were examined 

 and were found uniformly to possess nodules, so it evidently has some 

 power of nitrogen fixation and may be of benefit to succeeding crops. 



PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OP THE SOIL TESTED. 



As stated in the beginning of this circular, the Portsmouth sandy 

 loam is the most extensive soil type in the county, and it is also an 

 important type on this farnl. The soil of Portsmouth sandy loam, as 

 it occurs here, extends to an average depth of 7 inches and is a dark- 

 brown or gray sandy loam, mellow and friable when dry, but compact- 

 ing when wet on account of its rather high silt content. The sand par- 

 ticles are sharp and rather coarse. The subsoil is much more sandy, 

 but sticky and plastic and gray or pale yellow in color to a depth of 18 

 to 21 inches, where it grades rather abruptly into a mottled yellow and 

 drab sandy clay which is very sticky and impervious to water. 



The greater part of this type lies in the eastern part of the farm. Its 

 surface features are very level so much so that standing water remains 

 on the undrained fields after heavy rains, making a naturally cold, wet 

 soil. Underdrainage will be necessary with many fields before they can 

 be brought into the best condition. The sandy layer between soil and 

 deep subsoil is very apt to compact to such an extent as to become 

 almost a hardpan, and where present to any extent decreases the crop 

 yields. 



Like the Norfolk types, this soil is derived from marine sediments, 

 but owes its present condition more to the result of long-continued swamp 

 conditions. The color of the soil is due to accumulation of organic 

 matter ; that of the subsoil immediately underlying it to a bleaching by 

 the organic acids liberated from above ; while the drab and mottled 

 colors of the substratum give evidence of the slight extent to which 

 atmospheric weathering has proceeded. 



Throughout the county cotton will average from one-third to one-half 

 bale per acre, corn from 10 to 20 bushels, and oats about 25 bushels. 



