THE PENN LOAM. 5 



flat areas. Such an improvement in the drainage conditions would 

 largely increase the crop-producing power of the more level areas of 

 the type. It would also render possible early plowing and tillage, 

 and would bring the subsoil into a better granulated condition, favor- 

 able to retaining soil moisture for the use of the crop during periods 

 of summer drought. 



The Penn loam is fairly well supplied with organic matter. Care 

 should be exercised to maintain this condition, and in areas where 

 erosion has been at all active or where through other causes the 

 amount of organic matter in the surface soil is low stable manures 

 should be freely used and green manuring crops should be turned 

 under. 



The type responds readily to the use of lime. It has been found 

 that frequent small applications of this material are more effective 

 than larger applications at infrequent periods. The use of 1,000 to 

 1.500 pounds of slaked lime per acre materially increases the yields 

 of the small grains and grasses, particularly where clover is grown. 

 The lime is usually applied to the ground when it is prepared for 

 a small-grain crop, and is thus effective both in connection with 

 the grain and with the seeding to clover or to mixed grasses. 



LIMITATIONS UPON SPECIAL CROPS. 



Only those areas of the Penn loam which depart somewhat from 

 the normal characteristics and are somewhat sandy or otherwise 

 more friable than the general average of the type can be used to 

 advantage for special crops. With improved drainage and with in- 

 creased organic matter in the surface soil, Irish potatoes might well 

 be grown as a special crop upon this type. Upon similar areas other 

 vegetables and small fruits could be produced for home use. 



EXTENT OF OCCUPATION. 



In practically all of the areas where the Penn loam is developed it 

 is highly prized as a general farming soil, ranking second only to the 

 soils of the limestone valleys with which it is frequently associated. 



As a result the greater portion of this soil has long been cleared 

 and used for agricultural purposes. In north-central New Jersey, 

 southeastern Pennsylvania, and central Maryland it is probable that 

 80 per cent of the type is occupied either for tilled crops or for per- 

 manent pasture. In the Virginia areas where it occurs the per- 

 centage is slightly smaller. Only the steeper slopes and those which 

 are strewn with bowlders from the higher lying trap ridges are left 

 in forest or otherwise unoccupied. In the majority of areas all of 

 the moderate slopes and the more level areas are farmed with a 

 regular rotation of crops. It would hardly be possible to extend the 

 occupation of the Penn loam. 



