SOILS OF THE SASSAFRAS SERIES. 31 



Early Irish potatoes are produced to fair advantage upon this soil. 

 The yields are extremely variable, ranging from 75 to 250 bushels 

 per acre. The general average is about 100 bushels. The potatoes 

 from this type in Delaware reach the northern markets during July 

 and succeed the shipments from points farther south. Wherever the 

 type occurs, from the vicinity of Norfolk, Va., to the Delaware Bay 

 region, it is recognized as a soil well suited to the growing of early 

 Irish potatoes. The extension of the production of this crop has been 

 rather rapid during the last 10 years. 



Sweet potatoes are also grown in considerable acreage upon the 

 Sassafras sandy loam. The yields are fair to good and the quality 

 of the potatoes is usually excellent. 



Tomatoes are grown both for shipment to city market and for 

 supplying local canning factories. Yields range from 4 to 6 tons or 

 more per acre, and the crop has generally been found to be profitable. 



Sweet corn is grown both for direct sale and for canning. 



Peas, cucumbers, cantaloupes, watermelons, and asparagus are all 

 grown successfully, but in small acreages, upon the Sassafras sandy 

 loam. 



In central Delaware the Sassafras sandy loam has been developed 

 as the most important fruit soil of the region. Pears occupy the 

 largest acreage, and the Kieffer is the principal variety. It is used 

 for canning chiefly. 



Peaches were extensively grown at one time, but the acreage has 

 greatly decreased during recent years because of the trouble ex- 

 perienced from various diseases, principally yellows and little peach. 

 The Elberta peach is the standard variety in the present orchards. 



Many varieties of early summer and fall apples are successfully 

 produced upon the Sassafras sandy loam. Among the early varieties 

 may be mentioned Yellow Transparent and Early Ripe. Williams 

 is grown for the summer market, while Stayman Winesap, Nero, 

 Paragon, Winesap, York Imperial, and Borne are planted to supply 

 the fall and winter markets. Very considerable plantings of apple 

 orchards have been made upon the Sassafras sandy loam in central 

 Delaware during the last 20 years. It has been found that this soil 

 brings the trees to bearing age in 5 to 12 years. A young apple or- 

 chard and a planting of blackberries on the Sassafras sandy loam are 

 shown in Plate IV, figure 1. 



Grapes are being planted to quite an extent in the vicinity of 

 Dover, Del., largely upon the Sassafras sandy loam. Moores Early 

 and Concord are the varieties chiefly grown. Practically all of the 

 fruit is shipped for table use. A vineyard in the vicinity of Dover, 

 Del., is shown in Plate IV, figure 2. 



Among small fruits the strawberry occupies the largest acreage 

 upon the Sassafras sandy loam. The early variety is chiefly the 



