SOILS OF THE SASSAFRAS SERIES. 19 



the normal averages for the general region, and it is only where some 

 unusual circumstance of saturated subsoil, seepage from higher 

 lands, or the existence of a denser underlying loam or clay is of local 

 influence that corn, the small grains, or the ordinary meadow grasses 

 are grown to any marked advantage. This is so general that large 

 areas of the Sassafras sand still remain in forest wherever local con- 

 ditions do not favor special crop production. 



Corn is more generally grown upon the Sassafras sand than any 

 of the other cereals. The yields secured range from less than 20 

 bushels to 40 bushels per acre. The latter yields are only obtained 

 in the seasons of heavy and well distributed rainfall, or upon por- 

 tions of the type favored by an unusually high water table, the 

 presence of retentive materials below the subsoil, or by specially good 

 methods of soil management. 



Wheat is locally grown on the Sassafras sand in some portions 

 of Maryland. The yields are usually low, rarely exceeding 10 or 12 

 bushels per acre. The crop is«not at all suited to such a porous soil, 

 and is usually grown merely as a part of an established crop rota- 

 tion. 



Rye is grown to a limited extent and produces fair yields, ranging 

 from 12 to 20 bushels per acre. It is probable that it is the small 

 grain best suited to this soil. Where the straw can be sold to ad- 

 vantage, the growing of rye is more profitable than the growing of 

 wheat. A good crop of rye grown on the Sassafras sand is shown 

 in Plate I, figure 2. 



Crimson clover is coming to be grown as a winter cover crop upon 

 portions of the Sassafras sand along the Maryland-Delaware line. 

 This crop not only gives an excellent winter growth for protective 

 purposes, but it also is cut for hay at a time sufficiently early in the 

 spring to permit of the planting of an intertilled crop for the sum- 

 mer season. It has also led to increased fertility of the Sassafras 

 sand, where it has been used consistently. This is particularly the 

 case where the crimson clover stubble or the remainder of the crop 

 after it has been grazed during fall and spring is plowed under as a 

 manure for the succeeding corn or tomato crop. 



Cowpeas produce good yields of hay upon the Sassafras sand, and 

 thej are grown to an increasing extent as a summer hay crop. It 

 has also been found that the peas may be produced for seed upon 

 this soil, especially in the eastern counties of Maryland, and that 

 the yield of seed constitutes a profitable cash crop, while the cowpea 

 straw may be used as a valuable fodder. 



None of the meadow grasses are grown to advantage upon the 

 Sassafras sand, although a fair stand of red clover may be obtained 

 for one year. Clover is sometimes seeded with the small acreage o£ 

 wheat grown upon the type. The yields of hay are low. 



