SOILS OF THE SASSAFRAS SERIES. 27 



In southwestern New Jersey some areas of the Sassafras gravelly 

 loam occur chiefly on upland ridges and sloping plains, where 

 erosion has partially removed the original covering of silt loam. 

 It also occurs in narrow belts as a gravelly outcrop along stream 

 slopes. In both positions it is rather excessively drained because 

 of its coarse texture and because of the presence of underlying 

 beds of sand and gravel. Upon the more level areas, where erosion 

 has not been so severe, there still remains a sufficient amount of 

 silty fine earth to render the type capable of fairly successful agri- 

 cultural occupation. 



The other areas of the Sassafras gravelly loam are chiefly local 

 tracts, where an unusually high content of gravel is found in mate- 

 rial resembling either Sassafras sandy loam or the loam. 



Considerable portions of the type are too sloping and too com- 

 pletely drained to constitute good farm land. The more level areas, 

 such as that upon Long Island, have been utilized to quite an extent 

 for the production of special crops. 



In general the staple farm crops are not extensively grown upon 

 the Sassafras gravelly loam. In the Maryland areas, however, corn 

 gives yields of 20 to 35 bushels per acre upon portions of the type 

 which are not too sloping and gravelly to retain sufficient moisture 

 for maturing the crop. Wheat is grown in the regular crop rotation, 

 giving yields of 12 to 15 bushels per acre. Clover is usually seeded 

 with the wheat, returning yields of 1 ton or more per acre. Locally 

 cowpeas are grown to a limited extent. Some tomatoes are also 

 grown in localities near canning factories. 



Owing to its proximity to great city markets and to the fact that 

 the soil is well drained and warm, the market garden and truck 

 crops are grown upon it in large acreage on western Long Island. 



Early Irish potatoes are extensively grown and the yields obtained 

 with liberal use of manure and fertilizer range from 100 to 200 

 bushels per acre. The crop reaches the market late in August and 

 is chiefly marketed as fast as it matures. Cabbage for the summer 

 and early fall market is also grown. Sweet corn for direct sale con- 

 stitutes another important crop, while tomatoes are raised to a small 

 extent. 



In New Jersey few general farms crops are grown upon the Sassa- 

 fras gravelly loam. In some localities plantings of peaches, plums, 

 cherries, and pears have been made. They have been fairly success- 

 ful. The growing of market garden and truck crops has also been 

 undertaken during the last 10 years and small areas of the type are 

 thus, utilized. 



For the production of either the vegetables or fruit crops it is 

 essential to select only those portions of the Sassafras gravelly loam 

 which contain a considerable amount of silt and clay in both the 



