4 SOILS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. 



The Portsmouth sandy loam is easily distinguished from the soils 

 of any other series because of the dark-brown to black color of the 

 surface soil and the gray or mottled yellow and gray character of the 

 subsoil. It is also distinguishable from the fact that it is practically 

 always in need of drainage and is thus sharply contrasted with the 

 surrounding upland soils. The soils of the Norfolk series are dis- 

 tinguished by their gray surface soils and yellow subsoils, and those 

 of the Orangeburg series by the gray surface soils and red subsoils. 

 The Portsmouth sandy loam occurs most frequently in association 

 with the soils of the Norfolk series and is readily distinguished from 

 them by its darker color, by its gray subsoil, and by its poor natural 

 drainage. 



THE SURFACE FEATURES AND DRAINAGE. 



Practically all areas of the Portsmouth sandy loam occur either 

 upon very flat uplands, in slight depressions, or in basinlike hollows, 

 or else they occur around the headwaters and upper reaches of the 

 sluggish streams of the lower lying portion of the Coastal Plain. 

 Wherever ridges occur in the general area of the type these are very 

 likely to be found to belong to some other soil type, usually of the 

 Norfolk series. 



As a consequence of the level or depressed position of the Ports- 

 mouth sandy loam the natural drainage of the type is always poor, 

 and the greater part of its area is found to be semiswampy or wet. 

 In almost all localities the type supports a growth of hardwood, in- 

 cluding the sweet gum, the red maple in more northern localities, 

 and bay bushes, creeping vines, saw-palmetto, and the pitcher plant 

 in the more southern areas. 



It is only where the margins of this type have been cleared from 

 their original forest growth, and where artificial drainage has been 

 partially established, that agriculture has occupied any portion of 

 its area. In the more northern locations, where the demand for land 

 is greatest and where the capabilities of this soil have been more 

 generally discovered, numerous extensive areas have been cleared 

 and drained, either by open ditches or by tile underdrainage. These 

 drained lands constitute the most extensive cultivated areas of any 

 portion of the Portsmouth sandy loam. In more southern latitudes, 

 where drainage has been less extensively inaugurated, very little of 

 the type, except in its marginal portions, has been brought under 

 cultivation to any crop. 



For the utilization of this soil type, drainage is a fundamental pre- 

 requisite. In case the area of the type upon any particular farm con- 

 stitutes but a small acreage, and in case the natural facilities for 

 drainage are at all adequate, the opening of old water courses, deep- 

 ening and straightening the channels of the streams, and the cutting 



