THE HAGERSTOWN LOAM. 9 



ruptcdly since. Heavy applications, 40 to 50 bushels per acre, are 

 not uncommon and even greater quantities are sometimes used. 

 The application of the lime is generally made just before the seeding 

 of the ground to wheat, and with the wheat crop the seeding to grass 

 and clover is also made. The heavy yields of these crops upon 

 properly limed areas of the Hagerstown loam fully justify the labor 

 and expense of the application of the lime. 



Aside from the inherent characteristics of the soil itself which main- 

 tain good texture, good structure, and a favorable condition of organic 

 matter content, it is probable that the frequent applications of large 

 quantities of lime constitute one of the greatest factors in the mainte- 

 nance of the high average yields of wheat and of hay secured from 

 this type. The contrast between the yields reported from limed andi 

 unlimed areas of the type tend to establish this conclusion. 



LIMITATIONS UPON SPECIAL CROPS. 



The chief special crops produced upon Hagerstown loam are hemp 

 in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky, and the White Burley tobacco 

 in the same district, together with cigar-filler tobacco in a very local- 

 ized area in southeastern Pennsylvania. Aside from these crops; 

 apples constitute practically the only other special crop produced 

 upon this type. The reasons for these limitations have already been 

 given. It is probable that inherited customs in farming have ruled 

 to some degree, but climatic circumstances have chiefly limited the 

 production of hemp and of tobacco to the regions mentioned. There 

 is no reason why the White Burley tobacco should not be produced 

 upon the Hagerstown loam to excellent advantage in the Basin Region 

 of Tennessee or in the valley region of western Virginia. TJiere is no 

 reason why the cigar-filler tobacco such as is raised in Lancaster 

 County, Pa., should not also be produced upon this type in the Penn- 

 sylvania counties west of the Susquehanna River, or even in the 

 Hagerstown and Frederick Valleys of Maryland, but these crops are 

 practically unknown outside of the restricted areas indicated. The 

 local knowledge of the care of these crops and the local demand for 

 them constitute the chief limitations upon the area of their produc- 

 tion. 



In apple orcharding the Hagerstown loam has been recognized as 

 well suited to the production of certain varieties suited to low alti- 

 tudes and rather warm temperate climates. In general only those 

 locations within the Hagerstown loain which possess some altitude 

 and particularly good air and water drainage have been selected for 

 the location of apple orchards. Too frequently land of this type, 

 which because of some local peculiarities was somewhat rough or was 

 interrupted by ledges, has been chosen for the establishment of apple 

 orchards. While these locations are not so desirable as others found 

 93119 Cir. 2911 2 



