10 SOILS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. 



loam are annually being planted to cane throughout the eastern Gulf 

 section. The type may be recommended for this crop. In other 

 localities in the South Atlantic and Gulf States sorghum is also 

 grown upon the Norfolk sandy loam for sirup. 



Truck crops. The Norfolk sandy loam is probably the best soil 

 for the production of the main truck crop of Irish potatoes found 

 from New Jersey to South Carolina. It is also used for this purpose 

 in Georgia and in Florida, though not so extensively. The date for 

 planting begins with early February in the most southern locali- 

 ties and averages about 1 week later for every 100 miles northward. 

 The Norfolk sandy loam forces the crop to early maturity. Tillage 

 is easy and where proper attention is given to the crop during the 

 growing season, and the land is properly fertilized, fairly good 

 yields are secured. These vary from 100 to 150 bushels, though the 

 best truck growers secure as high as 175 and even 200 bushels of po- 

 tatoes per acre. The crop marketed from the Norfolk sandy loam 

 is usually shipped at a sufficiently early date to secure the highest 

 market prices for the Irish potatoes. 



In the preparation of the Norfolk sandy loam for Irish potatoes 

 considerable organic matter is necessary in the soil. This may be 

 secured through the application of stable manures or by plowing 

 under a green crop produced during the winter months for this 

 purpose. The majority of the growers also apply considerable 

 amounts of special potato fertilizers in the production of this crop. 

 One of the first requisites of a good potato fertilizer is a high percent- 

 age of potash salts. The fertilizers used for the early truck potato 

 crops usually contain from 3 to 4 per cent of nitrogen, from 8 to 10 

 per cent of potash, and about the same amount of phosphoric acid. 

 Many of the truck growers prefer the sulphate salts of potash to 

 any other form. 



The Norfolk sandy loam is an excellent soil for the production of 

 sweet potatoes. In the region south of Cape Hatteras the crop is 

 raised as a staple for home consumption. In the States to the north, 

 from the Eastern Shore of Virginia to New Jersey inclusive, the crop 

 is produced as a market gardening or truck crop. Different varie- 

 ties of potatoes are planted in the different localities, the red varie- 

 ties being particularly favored in New Jersey. The yield per acre 

 varies considerably, owing to the differences in tillage and skill in 

 handling the crop. In general it may be said that the staple crop in 

 the Southern States produces from 75 to 200 bushels per acre, and 

 that the truck crop in the more northern States produces from 75 to 

 150 bushels per acre, depending upon seasonal characteristics. The 

 soil is well suited to the production of this crop wherever the cli- 

 mate is favorable and the extension of sweet-potato culture should 

 be favored in all localities. 



