Observations Concerning the Agricultural Econom y 136 
brothers, (b) by the presence of suitable loams, (c) by proximity to East 
t. Louis where unskilled laborers for farm work are available, and 
(d) by the discovery or creation of important markets for “radishes” 
in the East. A larger acreage of corn than of wheat is favored (a) by 
the heaviness of the loams and (b) by the fact that corn is considered 
a better crop than wheat in rotation with horseradish. 
_ 6. The truck sections adjoin East St. Louis and suburbs, which pro- 
vide important markets for truck products and also contribute addi- 
tional laborers as needed for field work. However, the most important 
markets for truck products are in St. Louis on the opposite side of the 
Mississippi River. Probably the best trucking area is located on an 
alluvial fan at the foot of the bluffs where a sandy loam type of soil 
Prevails. This fan also is characterized by excellent drainage. The 
trucking area has been expanded, however, so as to include heavy soils 
and poorly-drained land. Due in part to physical differences among the 
truck farms and in part to differences in the ability of truck gardeners, 
the truck farms are not uniformly highly productive. 
7. The cantaloupe-grain section has a sand ridge which favors the 
Production of cantaloupes and rye. Watermelons formerly were im- 
portant, but a blight has caused the farmers to curtail production of 
them. Wheat and corn are of some importance because of the extension 
of farms into the loams adjoining the sand ridge. Dependence is placed 
chiefly on local urban centers for the disposition of the melon crop. 
8. The diversified crops-livestock section includes a part of the flood 
plain and a part of the rolling uplands. The loams of the flood plain 
Portion are interspersed with sands. Diversity of soils and relief have 
Contributed to a diversity of crops. Slopes unsuitable for cultivation on 
upland and sweet soils on the flood plain have contributed to the im- 
Portance of pastures and hay fields. Excellent drainage has favored the 
keeping of livestock, while proximity to the Alton Industrial District 
Provides an excellent market for dairy and poultry products. 
9. The grain-dairy products section resembles the diversified prod- 
ucts-livestock section. However, the flood plain portion has less di- 
versity of soils and less diversity of crops. Moreover, the livestock 
industry is confined to the upland portion of the section where it Is 
favored by excellent drainage and slopes better adapted to pasturage 
than to field crops. 
