SOILS OF THE SASSAFBAS SERIES. 33 



Nearly all the well-drained areas of the type have been cleared and 

 placed under cultivation, and only the more level and poorly-drained 

 areas remain in forest. 



Corn is more extensively grown than any other grain crop upon 

 this soil, and the yields obtained range from 20 to 40 bushels per 

 acre, probably averaging about 30 bushels for the entire type. The 

 dent varieties are almost exclusively grown. 



Wheat also occupies a large acreage upon the Sassafras fine sandy 

 loam. The yields of this grain range from 12 to 15 bushels per acre 

 to as high as 20 bushels. The general average for the type may b© 

 stated at about 15 bushels. 



The Sassafras fine sandy loam is generally recognized as being 

 well suited to the production of the Maryland type of pipe-smoking 

 tobacco, and this crop is quite generally grown as the cash crop 

 upon this soil in all of the southern Maryland counties. Its produc- 

 tion is confined to these counties and none is grown east of Chesa- 

 peake Bay. The yields of tobacco range from 1,000 to about 1,200 

 pounds per acre, and the quality is generally good. 



Oats and rye are only grown to a limited extent. 



A seeding to mixed timothy and red clover is frequently made 

 with the wheat crop and fair yields of hay, ranging from 1 to 1$ 

 tons per acre, are obtained. In some localities clover is seeded alone 

 and gives yields of 1| tons per acre or more. 



Where areas of the Sassafras fine sandy loam are located in prox- 

 imity to canning factories it has been found profitable to use the 

 land for the production of tomatoes. Fair yields, ranging from 

 4 to 7 tons per acre are obtained, and the production of the crop 

 is being extended in such localities. 



Truck crops are grown to a small extent upon this soil, chiefly 

 because the greater proportion of the type is not well located with 

 respect to transportation. It has been found that early Irish pota- 

 toes, sweet potatoes, cantaloupes, and cucumbers may be success- 

 fully grown upon it where market facilities are available. 



In the majority of the areas of its occurrence the Sassafras fine 

 sandy loam has been used to some extent for the growing of peaches, 

 pears, apples, and plums. Where the local air and water drainage 

 are good the tree fruits may be grown with fair success. 



Whether the Sassafras fine sandy loam is to be used for the pro- 

 duction of general" or special crop it has been found that it requires 

 the use of considerable amounts of organic manure to give large 

 yields. Generally, not much live stock is maintained upon the type 

 so that the supply of stable manure available is small. The practice 

 of growing green manuring crops is not general upon this soil. 

 It has been shown that both cowpeas and crimson clover make good 



