. 

 THE PORTERS LOAM AND PORTERS BLACK LOAM. 



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 seeding to mixed timothy and clover is usually successful, arai fair 



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yields of hay are secured. It is very desirable, owing to the prhriK, , - A 

 lence of erosion over the type, that considerable areas of grass should 

 be seeded upon it, and timothy, redtop, alsike, and red clover, to- 

 gether with bluegrass, are all available for the establishment of both 

 mowing areas and of grazing lands. A considerable proportion of 

 the more sloping and rugged areas of the Porters loam is now used, in 

 connection with the arable areas, for the grazing of cattle and to a 

 limited extent for the grazing of sheep. An extension of the occupa- 

 tion of the type for such purposes is not only possible but desirable. 

 In general it may be said that the Porters loam is one of the best 

 soils of the region for general farming purposes, and that its best 

 crop adaptations for such purposes consist of corn, oats, and grass. 



Irish potatoes and cabbages are both produced to excellent advan- 

 tage upon the Porters loam, and small areas of potatoes are pro- 

 duced upon each farm for local use. It is only in the vicinity of 

 transportation facilities, and particularly in the vicinity of those 

 points which maintain a considerable summer tourist population, that 

 potatoes and cabbages are grown upon the market-garden or com- 

 mercial scale. Upon properly cared for fields the yields of Irish 

 potatoes are excellent, ranging from 75 to 200 bushels per acre. 

 Cabbages yield from 5 to 8 tons, and both crops are decidedly profit- 

 able where the proper market exists. At the lower altitudes in North 

 Carolina and South Carolina sweet potatoes are also grown to some 

 extent, principally for home consumption. 



The general crops raised upon the Porters black loam are prin- 

 cipally corn, winter wheat to a limited extent, and oats and grass. 

 The corn yields range from 12 or 15 bushels per acre to 25 or 30 

 bushels. The yields of wheat are low, principally from the fact that 

 the loose, porous texture of the surface soil permits of excessive heav- 

 ing by the spring frosts, thus reducing the crop yields. Returns 

 of 8 to 12 bushels per acre are normal. Oats are somewhat more suc- 

 cessful, giving yields of 20 to 30 bushels per acre. The Porters black 

 loam is as well suited to grass production as the Porters loam, giving 

 good yields of mixed timothy and clover hay, and being capable of 

 maintaining an excellent growth of mixed timothy, redtop, blue- 

 grass, and the clovers for pasturage purposes. 



Fruit crops. The Porters black loam, however, is principally occu- 

 pied and is justly celebrated for the production of apples. In prac- 

 tically every area where it occurs in the eastern Appalachian Ranges, 

 especially within the "thermal zone" already described and in those 

 positions having 'the proper air and water drainage, it is the very 

 best apple soil which can be found. Upon no other type are apples 

 so successful, and upon no other type can the Albemarle Pippin be 

 grown to such perfection. It is in the sheltered coves upon the 



