THE VOLUSIA SILT LOAM. 9 



be liable to result in temporary decrease in crop yields. With each 

 plowing of the sod land, however, the plow should be set a little 

 deeper until the total depth of the surface soil is increased to 8 or 9 

 inches. The average depth of plowing at present is not over 4 or 5 

 inches. The plow should always be in good condition, and the land 

 should not be plowed when the soil or subsoil is too wet. Even if 

 water does not stand in the furrow the subsoil is frequently much 

 compacted by plowing the soil too wet. 



The Volusia silt loam is a type of soil easily thrown out of a good 

 condition of tilth, but it may usually be restored to satisfactory 

 condition within three to five years by good, careful farming. 



LIMITATIONS UPON SPECIAL CROPS. 



The Volusia silt loam is not only very limited in the character of 

 the special crops which may be grown upon it, but is also restricted 

 as to the general farm crops to which it is best suited. 



The best special crop for this soil type is late Irish potatoes. A 

 small acreage of potatoes is annually grown upon almost every farm 

 located upon the type. It is the aim of the farmer to grow enough 

 to supply his own needs and possibly to furnish a few bushels for 

 sale. Under average conditions of tillage yields are not large, owing 

 to poor seed, faulty preparation of the land, and the neglect of the 

 growing crop. Under such conditions of production the yields range 

 from 75 to 125 bushels per acre. With modern methods of manage- 

 ment the crop is productive and profitable. In some portions of 

 southern New 7 York potatoes are grown upon a commercial scale. 

 The land is well prepared, organic manures and commercial fer- 

 tilizers are liberally supplied, the crop is carefully tilled and sprayed, 

 and yields ranging from 150 to 250 bushels per acre are secured. In 

 this region potatoes constitute the chief sale crop, and one New York 

 county, containing large areas of the Volusia silt loam, ranks among 

 the leading counties in potato production in the United States. 



In many areas where the type has been encountered it has been 

 recognized as the best soil for potato growing. The tubers are smooth 

 and of good cooking quality. Even neglected crops yield fair re- 

 turns. Potatoes should form a valuable supplementary crop upon 

 many of the farms upon this type now chiefly given to dairying or 

 stock raising. 



The areas of the Volusia silt loam best suited to potato growing 

 possess effective natural drainage in both soil and subsoil. The soil 

 should be well supplied with organic matter either from applications 

 of stable manure or through turning under clover sod or buckwheat. 

 Any area showing a pronounced tendency toward a " hardpan " con- 

 dition in the subsoil should be avoided. 



