6 SOILS OP THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. 



Even upon the more gently sloping areas precautions are necessary 

 to prevent the washing away of the surface soil. The ordinary 

 methods of contour farming by which the furrows are carried nearly 

 horizontally around the slopes will be sufficient upon all the undulat- 

 ing areas and even upon the more gentle slopes. Upon somewhat 

 steeper slopes, frequent terraces should be left in grass for the pur- 

 pose of intercepting the movement of surface soil across the field. 



It is very desirable that the Susquehanna fine sandy loam should 

 be deeply plowed in the fall months, in order to render the surface 

 soil porous and competent to absorb the heavier" rains of winter and 

 early spring. A far greater proportion of the rainfall will be ab- 

 sorbed by the soil and a smaller amount will pass across the surface, 

 carrying the soil with it. In the majority of areas where this type 

 occurs it is also best to produce a winter cover crop, which will aid 

 greatly in the prevention of erosion. Winter oats and winter rye 

 are both valuable forage crops which may thus be grown to advan- 

 tage, while the winter vetch and crimson clover, among the legumes, 

 are especially well suited to production upon this soil. The surface 

 vegetation prevents the rapid movement of water across the soil and 

 the roots aid in binding the soft sandy loam and holding it against 

 erosive agencies. In addition the roots and stubble of the winter 

 cover crop or, if desired, the entire crop may be turned under in the 

 spring in time for the production of either cotton or corn and a very 

 valuable addition of organic manure be made. It is therefore desir- 

 able to grow some form of winter cover crop upon the Susquehanna 

 fine sandy loam for the double purpose of preventing soil erosion 

 and of restoring organic matter to the soil. 



In many areas where the type has been encountered it has been the 

 experience of the farmers that it was very productive for the grow- 

 ing of both cotton and corn when first cleared, but that after five or 

 six } r ears of continual cultivation to these crops the yields steadily 

 diminished, making it necessary either to occupy new land or to 

 resort to heavy applications of commercial fertilizers. This tendency 

 arises from the exhaustion of the organic matter or humus content 

 of the surface soil. By contrast, many of the best farmers in numer- 

 ous areas where the type is found have easily maintained and even 

 increased the crop-producing power of the soil through the use of 

 organic manures. Wherever it is possible, the stable and yard ma- 

 nures made upon the plantation should be carefully saved and applied 

 to this or similar sandy soils upon the farm. Usually the supply is 

 not adequate for the treatment of any large area each year and it is 

 necessary to resort to other sources of organic matter. There is an 

 increasing tendency to use cottonseed meal upon this type for the 

 production of both cotton and corn. Applications of 350 to 500 



