THE DEKALB SILT LOAM. 9 



the seeding to a small grain and the accompanying sowing of the 

 clover seed. 



In many areas the mechanical condition of the surface soil is 

 poor and the present depth of plowing is altogether too shallow for 

 successful crop production. Considerable care is required for the 

 preparation of this silty soil, especially in all cases where the amount 

 of organic matter in the surface soil is deficient. If fall plowed 

 to a shallow depth the autumn and spring rains are liable to com- 

 pact the furrows to such an extent that the land should be refitted 

 in/ the spring. Consequently, where the land is not to be used until 

 the following spring, fall plowing should not be undertaken as a 

 usual practice. Immediately after the land has been plowed it 

 should be harrowed to form a surface covering against evapora- 

 tion, since the Dekalb silt loam is liable to give trouble from drought 

 during the later summer months unless every precaution is taken to 

 preserve soil moisture. 



In many areas where the Dekalb silt loam has been mapped the 

 normal depth of plowing is only 2 or 3 inches. This is totally 

 inadequate to give satisfactory crop yields. The depth of plowing 

 in such cases should be gradually increased, especially for the inter- 

 tilled crops, until it reaches 6 inches or more. If, at the same 

 time, organic matter is carefully added it will result in a very 

 decided increase in crop production. 



Locally, there are areas of the Dekalb silt loam which would be 

 benefited by drainage. It would scarcely be wise, in many instances, 

 to invest large sums in the drainage of this land until it has at- 

 tained a greater value in the areas where it is encountered. There 

 is usually an abundance of land and only near to markets or where 

 the undrained tract constitutes a portion of an otherwise well-drained 

 farm should underdrainage be resorted to. The greater part of the 

 type possesses excellent natural drainage. 



LIMITATIONS UPON SPECIAL CROPS. 



The geographic location of the different areas of the Dakalb silt 

 loam with respect to markets and to transportation controls to a con- 

 siderable degree the character of the corps which may best be grown 

 upon it. Throughout the greater portion of its extent the Dekalb 

 silt loam is distinctly a soil of the higher plateau and mountain sec- 

 tions. Neither rail nor highway transportation is fully developed 

 and, in general, the local markets for special crops, like garden vege- 

 tables and fruits, are lacking. This limitation does not apply, how- 

 ever, to extensive tracts of the type which are developed in south- 

 central and southwestern Pennsylvania and in neighboring sections 

 of West Virginia. In this general region the growth of the coal- 

 mining industry and of the manufacturing interests associated with 

 1239 Cir. 3811 2 



