12 SOILS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. 



At the lower levels, in Kentucky and in Indiana, the type is largely 

 occupied for the production of grains and of grass. In fact, rough- 

 ness of topography and inaccessibility, even of the smoother indi- 

 vidual areas, alone prevent the general use of the Dekalb silt loam 

 as a secondary agricultural soil. There still remain great tracts 

 suited for farm purposes when proper transportation to and from 

 the farm shall be provided. To the present time, however, occupation 

 has not infrequently flowed by the higher lying areas of the Dekalb 

 silt loam to cover the more accessible valley soils. 



CROP ADAPTATIONS. 



A definite distinction must be made between the present crop uses 

 of the Dekalb silt loam in the various regions in which it occurs and 

 those uses of which it is capable under a more intensive system. The 

 Dekalb silt loam is still tilled under primitive, pioneer conditions 

 throughout a considerable portion of its extent. So the crop yields 

 reported from this type are usually low when compared with State or 

 county averages, and its real value as an agricultural soil is only 

 shown in those regions where better and more modern methods have 

 been adopted under the stimulus of excellent local markets. The 

 ultimate possible uses of the type have been discussed under the 

 previous headings. The present adaptations, as developed by the 

 different communities where the type has been encountered, will be 

 summarized. 



Corn is produced upon the Dekalb silt loam in practically all 

 regions where it is farmed, except in the more northern localities and 

 at the highest altitudes. In no case is the acreage devoted to corn of 

 high rank when compared with that given to small grains and to 

 grass. In Alabama the yields per acre are extremely variable, de- 

 pending chiefly upon the care given to the preparation of the land 

 and to the tillage of the crop. Yields as low as 5 bushels per acre 

 are reported, while returns of 40 bushels have been secured. For the 

 average of the type a yield of 15 to 20 bushels may be considered 

 normal. In Ohio and Indiana, at somewhat lower altitudes but in 

 more northern latitude, the yields range from 20 to 60 bushels per 

 acre with a general average for the type of about 25 bushels. Again 

 the care of the soil and the tillage of the crop seem to be the most 

 important factors in increasing the yields. In Tennessee and Ken- 

 tucky corn yields from 10 to 30 bushels per acre upon the Dekalb silt 

 loam with an average production of about 20 bushels. In Virginia 

 and West Virginia and at the lower altitudes in Pennsylvania the 

 yields range from 15 to 40 bushels per acre, with an average pro- 

 duction of about 25 bushels. Thus throughout the extent of the type 

 there are wide variations in the yields of corn secured, and these point 



