10 SOILS OF THE EASTERN" UNITED STATES. 



areas which have suffered from erosion and which consequently have 

 n depth of surface soil of less than 6 or 8 inches, the soil is unable 

 to store a sufficient supply of moisture to carry the corn crop well 

 through the drought of midsummer. In consequence, yields vary 

 decidedly upon such areas, ranging from 10 or 12 bushels per acre, 

 where the crop is raised practically upon the subsoil, to 25 or 30 

 bushels where the surface soil is in better condition. 



Cotton is only produced to a limited extent upon the Hagerstown 

 clay. Low yields are secured since the crop is frequently grown 

 upon land which has been too seriously eroded to justify planting to 

 :any tilled crop. The cotton is also apt to become stained by a deep red 

 surface soil where any of the lint is allowed to come in contact with 

 it. In consequence, the Hagerstown clay can not be considered as 

 an important cotton soil, even in the most southern areas where the 

 climatic conditions are suitable for its production. 



The Hagerstown clay is used particularly in north-central Ken- 

 tucky for the production of heavy export tobacco. Fair to high 

 yields are secured, ranging from 800 to 1,500 pounds per acre, with 

 an average ranging between 1,000 to 1,200 pounds. Export tobacco 

 has also been grown upon the Hagerstown clay in several Virginia 

 areas, but its production on the type is decreasing rather than increas- 

 ing. This arises from the fact that a regular rotation of corn, wheat, 

 and grass is found more profitable than a one-crop system of tobacco 

 culture. 



In some areas apples have been planted upon the Hagerstown clay 

 in positions which were particularly favored by deep soil, a some- 

 what friable subsoil and good local elevation. The varieties planted 

 have been chiefly the Paragon, Ben Davis, and Newtown Pippin. 

 The unusually heavy subsoil of this type is not considered favorable 

 to commercial apple orcharding. 



A much more extensive use should be made of cowpeas and soy 

 beans in the regular rotation upon the Hagerstown clay, particularly 

 in all of the more southern areas. The forage value of these crops 

 is high, and their favorable influence upon the texture and the organic 

 matter content of the soil, produced by plowing under the stubble, is 

 found to be decidedly valuable in bringing the surface soil into better 

 condition for the production of other crops. These crops are grown 

 at the present time to a limited extent. Some sorghum is also pro- 

 duced in a few areas. 



FARM EQUIPMENT. 



The equipment of the various farms upon the Hagerstown clay in 

 the different areas where the type occurs varies decidedly. Upon the 

 rich, highly developed, and well-managed farms in the Shenandoah 

 Valley the equipment consists of well-built farmhouses and barns, 

 .heavy work stock, and adequate farm machinery. In fact, upon this 



