NORFOLK FINE SANDY LOAM. 9 



fine sandy loam. In the latter State it is the principal money crop, 

 with bright tobacco second in importance. The yields of cotton 

 naturally vary with the care which the land has received and with 

 the degree of fertilization. In general, however, the Norfolk fine 

 sandy loam produces from one-third to 1 bale of medium Upland 

 cotton per acre. This is decidedly above the average yield for the 

 section and marks the Norfolk fine sandy loam as one of the best cot- 

 ton soils to be found in eastern North Carolina. With proper crop 

 rotations, including the production of some leguminous crop like 

 cowpeas or peanuts in the rotation, and with the proper incorpora- 

 tion of organic matter in the form of stable manure or of a green 

 crop turned under, the yields of cotton have been materially in- 

 creased by the best farmers of this region. 



Wheat is grown to only a limited extent in eastern Virginia upon 

 the Norfolk fine sandy loam, and the texture of the soil is altogether 

 too light for the production of this crop as a staple. 



In North Carolina winter oats may be sown and either grazed off 

 or cut for hay after having performed their function of a winter 

 cover crop to prevent soil erosion and leaching. Very few oats are 

 ever cut and thrashed for the grain, so that the yields may not be 

 stated. 



For the improvement of the Norfolk fine sandy loam, crimson 

 clover is being grown to a limited extent. It makes an excellent 

 w r inter cover crop, and when turned under in the spring the soil 

 produces a much larger yield of corn. 



Truck crops. The Norfolk fine sandy loam is sufficiently warm 

 and well drained to constitute a valuable soil for the production of 

 the late and heavier truck crops, though it is not primarily a trucking 

 soil like the Norfolk sand or Norfolk fine sand. -Among these, Irish 

 potatoes are the most important. In eastern Virginia and in North 

 Carolina yields of 90 to 150 bushels of Irish potatoes per acre may 

 be secured with proper fertilization and cultivation. The yields are 

 somewhat larger upon the Norfolk fine sandy loam than upon the 

 lighter members of the series, but the potatoes are not ready for 

 market at such an early date, nor is the quality quite so good as upon 

 the more sandy soils. 



Sweet potatoes constitute an important and valuable truck crop, 

 as well as an important general farm crop upon the Norfolk fine 

 sandy loam. The yields are about the same as for Irish potatoes. 



In a few localities, particularly in eastern Virginia, cucumbers are 

 also produced as a truck crop to fair advantage. 



It is upon the Norfolk fine sandy loam in eastern North Carolina 

 that lettuce has become an extremely important winter forcing crop. 

 The soil is thrown up into beds with heavy applications of well- 



