10 SOILS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. 



rotted stable manure and with the addition of large amounts of com- 

 plete commercial fertilizer. These beds are so arranged that they 

 may be protected from severe frosts in January and February by 

 cheesecloth coverings, which may be rolled down to cover the beds at 

 night and rolled back in the morning after danger from frost has 

 passed. The lettuce is largely of the head variety and yields valued 

 at $800 to $1,200 an acre have been secured under the best systems 

 of management. 



Cantaloupes and watermelons are both produced to fair advantage 

 upon the Norfolk fine sandy loam and constitute important secondary 

 truck crops for shipment to northern markets. 



Fruit crops. Peaches are the most important tree fruit which may 

 be grown upon the Norfolk fine sandy loam. Orchards should be 

 planted only in locations which have excellent air drainage as well 

 as water drainage. The trees are reasonably long lived and thrifty, 

 and if the location is well chosen good crops are secured at from 3 to 

 4 years from the planting of the orchard. 



Strawberries are of secondary importance as a fruit crop, although 

 they are grown to quite an extent upon the Norfolk fine sandy loam. 

 The early varieties for the northern market are best suited to this 

 type. 



South Atlantic section. In the South Atlantic section, including 

 South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, the soil adaptations vary some- 

 what from those of the Middle Atlantic section. Among the gen- 

 eral farm crops cotton takes the leading place, and yields ranging 

 from one-third bale to 1 bales per acre of Upland cotton are secured. 

 Immediately along the coast, particularly upon the sea islands, the 

 Sea-Island or long staple cotton is also produced to good advantage 

 upon the Norfolk fine sandy loam, where the elevation is not too 

 great. 



Bright tobacco is grown to a limited extent in some portions of 

 eastern South Carolina, although the cultivation of this crop is being 

 extended. Yields vary from 500 to 1,000 pounds or more per acre, 

 depending upon the degree of fertilization and care bestowed upon 

 the soil. 



Corn is an important general farm crop, giving yields of from 

 12 to 30 bushels per acre, which may be exceeded by more careful 

 methods of fertilization and tillage. The Norfolk fine sandy loam 

 compares favorably with the Orangeburg fine sandy loam as a corn 

 soil in this general region. 



Cowpeas are grown as in the Middle Atlantic section with about 

 the same results. 



In southern Georgia and northern Florida the medium-deep phase 

 of the Norfolk fine sandy loam is the chosen 'soil for the production 



