THE NORFOLK FINE SAND. 5 



The soil is usually loose and incoherent, not over well supplied with 

 organic matter, and in almost all cases so located with regard to 

 topography and drainage that moisture is easily drained out from 

 both surface soil and subsoil. As a result the longer-growing field 

 crops during the later part of the summer experience serious difficulty 

 from drought, and their yields are decidedly diminished. This is 

 markedly the case with both cotton and corn. The average yields 

 of cotton even under fairly good farming methods rarely rise above 

 one-half bale per acre and frequently sink below one-fourth bale. 

 With corn the yields may be as low as 5 to 8 bushels per acre, and 

 they rarely rise above 20 bushels. The reason is the same in both 

 cases. There is insufficient moisture supply to maintain steady, unin- 

 terrupted growth during the long summer period. These limita- 

 tions do not apply as strongly to certain classes of crops like the 

 garden vegetables, which depend for their greatest value upon early 

 maturity. 



IMPROVEMENT IN SOIL EFFICIENCY. 



The Norfolk fine sand is not to be recommended in general for 

 the production of the staple crops. It is sometimes necessary, how- 

 ever, for the farmer who possesses considerable areas of this soil 

 type to plant cotton, corn, and other staples upon land of this char- 

 acter. In order that he may meet with even a fair measure of success 

 it is necessary for him to exercise the greatest skill and judgment 

 in so preparing his land as to tend constantly toward the absorption 

 and retention of soil moisture. For this purpose it is desirable that 

 the largest possible amount of partially decayed organic matter 

 should be accumulated in the surface soil. Under normal conditions 

 existing throughout the regions where the Norfolk fine sand is 

 found, this is best accomplished by sowing some green-manuring 

 or cover crop upon the land in the late summer or early fall of one 

 year ; by allowing it to make its growth during the latter part of the 

 summer and early winter; and by plowing this under for incorpora- 

 tion in the soil during the early spring when the land is being pre- 

 pared for the succeeding field crop. For this purpose cowpeas, crim- 

 son clover, and winter vetch have all proven their usefulness in the 

 practice of the best farmers. The cowpeas may be planted about 

 midsummer and allowed to make a good growth before frosts inter- 

 vene. It is not essential that any peas should be developed or ma- 

 tured. It is the growth of forage which is desired. Crimson clover 

 or winter vetch should be sown' in the early autumn, and will make 

 good growth south of Chesapeake Bay during the fall and winter 

 months. If necessary, any one of the three crops may be partially 

 grazed off as opportunity affords. 



