14 SOILS OF THE EASTERN" UNITED STATES. 



The Cecil clay will undoubtedly play a very important part in the 

 further development of the production of the small grains, of the 

 forage crops, and of meats and dairy products in the Piedmont 

 Plateau. 



In the more northern sections where the Cecil clay is found the 

 equipment of farm buildings is usually ample, and the dwelling 

 houses, barns, and outbuildings are of substantial construction upon 

 a large scale. Throughout the Piedmont region in eastern Pennsyl- 

 vania, Maryland, Virginia, and the northern part of North Carolina 

 many of these old farmhouses are built of the local rock or of brick. 

 They are the evidences of prosperous farming, based largely upon the 

 capabilities of the Cecil clay. They are the relics of the time, before 

 the opening of the western prairie regions, when a considerable pro- 

 portion of the wheat consumed in the United States was produced 

 upon this soil type. Such equipment, whenever it is justified by the 

 prosperity of the individual farm family, is well suited to the needs 

 of the highest type of agriculture which may be developed upon this 

 essentially general farming soil. The character of the crops pro- 

 duced, the desirability for accessory animal husbandry, and the cli- 

 matic conditions surrounding the type all require a more complete 

 equipment in live stock, tools, and farm buildings than is required 

 by some of the more sandy special-crop types of soil in the Piedmont 

 and in other regions. 



SUMMARY. 



The Cecil clay is an extensive soil type second only to the Cecil 

 sandy loam in its extent of development in the Piedmont soil 

 province. 



It is a strong, fertile, productive soil for the production of general 

 farm crops in all locations where it is properly protected from 

 erosion and given fair treatment as to tillage and the restoration 

 of organic matter. 



The Cecil clay, because of its stiff, tenacious surface soil and sub- 

 soil, is not well suited to the production of any special crops, unless 

 the heavy export tobacco should be considered in this class. 



The crops produced to best advantage upon the Cecil clay vary to 

 some extent with the climatic surroundings of the type. Corn, wheat, 

 oats, export tobacco, cotton, and grass are the crops best suited to this 

 type. Apples are produced to a limited degree and pears in a few 

 localities. 



For its improvement deeper plowing, more thorough tillage, and 

 the incorporation of considerable amounts of organic matter are 

 requisite. Liming proves beneficial in connection with the produc- 

 tion of leguminous crops. 



