16 SOILS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. 



locally prevail in the different areas where it is found. In the more 

 northern and also the more elevated locations, buckwheat, oats, and 

 grass are the chief crops. Under conditions of longer growing season, 

 corn, winter wheat, oats, and grass are the chief crops. Locally, in 

 more southern areas, cotton is grown to a limited extent and with 

 low yields. Tobacco is grown only in one locality thus far encoun- 

 tered and the extension of the crop may not be recommended. 



In certain of the -more northern localities apples may be grown 

 commercially upon the Dekalb silt loam if certain precautions with 

 regard to air and water drainage are observed and the selection of 

 varieties suited to the climatic surroundings is made. 



Peaches may be grown in selected localities from West Virginia 

 southward. 



Potatoes should constitute an important crop upon the type where 

 local markets are available for their sale. Cabbages are also an excel- 

 lent market-garden crop. Root crops may be grown. 



The chief requirements of the Dekalb silt loam to improve its effi- 

 ciency are increased organic matter in the surface soil; increased 

 depth of plowing ; greater care in the tillage of all intertilled crops ; 

 and, locally, the drainage of portions of the tilled fields, marked by 

 mottled and impervious subsoils. 



Large areas of the Dekalb silt loam have never been brought under 

 cultivation because of inaccessibility, and these are still covered with 

 hardwood forests or with scrubby growths of brush. 



Because of inaccessibility and of the general rather than special 

 crop adaptations of the Dekalb silt loam, extensive areas of the type 

 should be given over to grazing interests, particularly to the grazing 

 of sheep. 



Dairying has proved profitable upon areas of the type suitably 

 located with respect to markets for dairy products. The raising of 

 swine and of veal calves in this connection adds to the profits to be 

 derived from the dairy industry. 



Not nearly all of the area of the Dekalb silt loam is now occu- 

 pied for agricultural purposes, and the extension of farming upon 

 the type waits upon the provision of adequate transportation by 

 highway and rail. 



Crop yields upon the Dekalb silt loam are exceedingly variable 

 and are chiefly dependent upon the skill of the individual farmer in 

 the preparation and management of the soil. 



Considerable areas of the Dekalb silt loam in more inaccessible 

 positions should be developed systematically as permanent forests. 



Approved : 



JAMES WILSON, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



WASHINGTON, D. C., June 26, 1911. 



