SOILS OF THE SASSAFRAS SERIES. 41 



the production of the principal farm crops of the latitude in which 

 it occurs. 



The Sassafras silt loam is extensively used for the production of 

 corn. The dent varieties are principally grown, and the yields 

 obtained depend upon the previous preparation of the land and its 

 treatment for a series of years. Where the land has been properly 

 manured with stable manure, where lime has been applied at least 

 once in the rotation, where a regular rotation of crops has been prac- 

 ticed for a considerable period of time, the yields of shelled corn 

 range from 50 to 80 bushels per acre. The latter yield, of course, is 

 only obtained by the best farmers under the most favorable circum- 

 stances. It is probable, however, that the average yield for the 

 type upon well-tilled areas will be in excess of 50 bushels per acre. 

 Excellent fields of corn grown upon the Sassafras silt loam in 

 northern Delaware are shown in Plate VI, figure 2, and Plate VII, 

 figure 1. Corn is grown not only for the shelled grain but also 

 for silage purposes, particularly in southern New Jersey. Yields 

 of silage corn frequently exceed 12 tons per acre, although the 

 ordinary yield may be stated as from 10 to 12 tons. 



Winter wheat is more extensively grown upon the Sassafras silt 

 loam than any other grain crop. It is probable that nearly one-half 

 of the cultivated area of the type is annually sowed to wheat. 



In the more northern areas, especially in southern New Jersey, 

 wheat yields from 20 to 25 bushels per acre, and yields of 35 and 

 even 38 bushels are not infrequently obtained when the land is in 

 the best condition and the season is favorable. In the eastern coun- 

 ties of Maryland and in Delaware yields of 15 to 25 bushels are 

 secured, with an average production of about 18 bushels per acre. 

 Such a wheat field is shown in Plate VII, figure 2. The yields in 

 the southern counties of Maryland average 12 to 20 bushels on this 

 soil. A good grade of hard winter wheat is produced, and even 

 where the value of the land is unusually high the excellent yield of 

 wheat and its good quality warrant its production upon the Sassafras 

 silt loam. 



Oats are not seeded extensively upon the Sassafras silt loam, but 

 the yields per acre are good wherever the crop is grown. In some 

 of the eastern Maryland counties yields of 40 to 50 bushels per acre 

 of oats are reported, and it may be said that a yield of 35 to 45 

 bushels may normally be expected. 



Both timothy and red clover are commonly seeded with one or the 

 other of the small grain crops in regular rotation in order to furnish 

 hay. In general, clover makes a good stand, especially if the land 

 has been limed, and timothy is equally satisfactory. The mixed hay 

 will yield from 1-| to 2 tons per acre, and where the soil is in par- 

 ticularly good condition this yield, even, may be exceeded. 



