212 FIELD CROPS FOR THE COTTON-BELT 



of its relation to water storage in the soil, but because 

 it insures an abundant supply of nitrogen. Corn demands 

 a large supply of nitrogen, flourishing in soils so rich in 

 this constituent as to induce an excessive growth of straw, 

 a tendency to lodge, and a low yield of grain in other 

 cereals. Alluvial river bottom soils, if well drained and sup- 

 plied with vegetable matter, are ideal for corn. Such 

 soils usually contain a higher percentage of silt than of 

 any other soil separate, mixed with considerable quantities 

 of very fine sand and clay. Soils of this constitution are 

 of that loamy character so admirably adapted to corn 

 growing. 



257. Soils not adapted to corn. A large percentage 

 of the corn crop in the cotton-belt is each year planted 

 on soils that, for various reasons, will not produce a 

 profitable yield. Such soils may be grouped in three 

 classes : 



(1) Sandy soils, deficient in vegetable matter and min- 

 eral plant-food. Such soils occur in extensive areas 

 throughout the coastal plains region. 



(2) Uplands from which the greater part of the top soil 

 has been lost by erosion. Soils of this character are abun- 

 dant in all sections of the cotton-belt having an uneven 

 topography. 



(3) Rich bottom lands which, for lack of drainage, have 

 become cold and sour. 



(4) Very stiff compact clays through which the roots 

 cannot penetrate and which, because of their physical 

 character, are very difficultly prepared. 



258. Modification of soils for corn. The undesirable 

 soil conditions enumerated above, can, in most cases, be 

 so modified by suitable methods of soil management as 

 to permit the successful production of corn. The im- 



