NORFOLK FINE SANDY LOAM. 11 



of shade-grown cigar-wrapper tobacco. On this phase the subsoil 

 at a depth of 10 to 15 inches is normally a heavy fine sandy loam, 

 which quickly passes into a bright-yellow friable fine sandy clay. 

 This type of soil maintains sufficient moisture supply for the devel- 

 opment of the shade-grown tobacco without irrigation, and yields 

 varying from 1,000 to 1,300 pounds per acre are secured. Heavy 

 fertilization with organic manures and with special commercial fer- 

 tilizers are required for securing the larger yields. Careful and fre- 

 quent cultivation throughout the growing season is required, and in 

 especially dry seasons facilities for irrigation will frequently increase 

 the crop yields sufficiently to warrant the expenditure for the neces- 

 sary outfit. A good crop of shade-grown tobacco will produce from 

 50 to 60 per cent of wrapper leaves. Neither the deep nor the shal- 

 low phases of the Norfolk fine sandy loam is so well suited to the 

 production of the shade-grown tobacco as this medium phase. . ' 



In both the South Atlantic and Eastern Gulf sections the Norfolk 

 fine sandy loam is also an important soil for the production of table 

 sirup from sugar cane. Yields of 200 to 450 gallons of sirup per 

 acre have been secured, and the cultivation of cane for sirup pro- 

 duction may well be extended upon this soil type. 



Of the secondary crops suited to the Norfolk fine sandy loam, 

 winter oats is the most important. The crop is usually sown after 

 some other crop has been harvested in the fall. Oats produce light 

 yields of forage, which may either be grazed off or cut for hay. 

 Grain is rarely produced. 



Truck crops. Early Irish potatoes are occasionally produced upon 

 this type, but the more sandy members of the Norfolk series are 

 better suited to potato raising for the early market. Sweet potatoes 

 are extensively grown as a home crop, and upon well-prepared areas 

 of the Norfolk fine sandy loam produce yields of 150 to 200 bushels 

 per acre. 



Watermelons and cantaloupes are grown for the home market, and, 

 to a limited extent, for shipment. 



From southeastern North Carolina to Florida the Norfolk fine 

 sandy loam is probably the best soil for the production of winter 

 cabbages. For this crop the soil must be well supplied with organic 

 matter, the depth to the sandy clay subsoil must not be too great, 

 and drainage must not be excessive. If natural drainage is insuffi- 

 cient, as in the lower lying areas, artificial drainage through open 

 ditches or systems of tile may be required. The crop does not require 

 protection from winter frosts from Wilmington southward, and may 

 be placed upon an early northern market. 



Cucumbers and lettuce are also grown to a limited degree. 



