THE CLARKSVILLE SILT LOAM. 13 



adequate and the cantaloupes are less subject to the injurious effects 

 of fungous diseases. 



Only in localities where transportation facilities are adequate 

 should attempts be made to grow these special crops. . 



* 



FARM EQUIPMENT. 



The heavy silty nature of the Clarksville silt loam requires the 

 use of moderately heavy farm teams and tillage tools. With the 

 exception of the tobacco-growing region of western Tennessee and 

 Kentucky this equipment is usually lacking and only light-weight 

 horses and mules and the light turnplow are employed. This, to 

 a large degree, accounts for the small yields of the staple crops 

 secured, since it is impossible properly to stir and aerate the surface 

 soil to any considerable depth with this light equipment. Neither 

 is it possible to turn under heavy crops of green manures in a satis- 

 factory manner without the employment of larger plows and heavier 

 teams. 



In the same way the farm buildings over a considerable portion 

 of the type are scarcely up to the standard of high-grade farming. 

 Frequently the barns are mere shelters built of poles and there is 

 practically no provision made for the adequate housing of the small 

 amount of live stock kept. In the tobacco-growing region, how- 

 ever, the equipment of teams, tools, and buildings is far more satis- 

 factory and nearly all of the larger farms are improved with good 

 dwellings, substantial tobacco barns for the fire curing of the crop, 

 and with a good equipment of work stock and tools. 



It is evident from a consideration of the variations in effective- 

 ness over the different portions of the area occupied by the Clarks- 

 ville silt loam, that there still remain great opportunities for the 

 proper development of agriculture upon this type. The factors 

 requisite for this development have been outlined in the present 

 circular. The principal requirements are better drainage for a 

 considerable proportion of the type and the incorporation of organic 

 mutter in the surface soil. For this latter purpose the production 

 of cowpeas and of medium red clover should be extended. Lime 

 should be applied to the type to foster the growth of both of these 

 leguminous crops. Probably the greater proportion of the type 

 should be developed for general farming purposes, while areas suffi- 

 ciently well situated with regard to transportation and with regard 

 to drainage may also be utilized for apple orcharding and the pro- 

 duction of strawberries and cantaloupes. Less than 50 per cent of 

 the total area of the Clarksville silt loam is now occupied for any 

 purposes of tillage. The remainder constitutes grazing land and 

 Vast areas sparsely timbered, principally to oak and other hard- 

 woods. 



