42 BULLETIN 159, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



These principal farm crops are usually grown upon the Sassafras 

 silt loam in regular succession. There is some diversity in the order 

 of the crop rotations, but in general the sod land is fall plowed and 

 fitted in the succeeding spring for the production of corn. In this 

 fitting the application of stable manure, either upon the sod before 

 plowing or upon the plowed land before the planting of the corn, 

 is the usual practice. In tiie latter case the manure is thoroughly 

 harrowed in to the surface soil. Commercial fertilizers are also used 

 in connection with the stable manure and a complete fertilizer, carry- 

 ing 3 or 4 per cent of nitrogen, usually about 4 per cent of potash, and 

 10 to 12 per cent of phosphoric acid, is quite commonly selected. 

 The quantity applied varies considerably in different localities, rang- 

 ing from 250 pounds an acre to as much as 500 pounds an acre in 

 the more intensively farmed districts. Frequent cultivation of the 

 corn during the growing season is the rule where the largest crops 

 are obtained. Corn is usually followed by wheat either for one or 

 two crops. The second crop of wheat is not infrequently displaced 

 by oats. In either case the land is seeded to timothy and clover 

 with the second crop of grain and remains in grass for two years or 

 more. 



In the Chesapeake Bay region, where the Sassafras silt loam is 

 extensively developed upon both sides of the bay, a considerable can- 

 ning industry has been developed. This type of soil has contributed 

 largely to the maintenance of the industry through the extensive 

 production of sweet corn and of tomatoes. The canning corn is 

 picked in the husk and' sold, usually by the ton, to the local factories. 

 The yield varies from 2-J to 2>\ tons per acre under normal conditions. 

 Prices, of course, vary, but the crop usually brings in a cash return 

 of $25 to $35 an acre. The blades and stalks remain as rough forage 

 to be fed upon the farm, and constitute a valuable by-product to 

 those farmers who feed beef stock or dairy cows. 



Tomatoes are produced extensively on the Maryland-Delaware 

 Peninsula, and around the head of Chesapeake Bay in general. The 

 soil is usually prepared for tomato growing by the application of 

 such stable manure as is available and by the application of a com- 

 plete commercial fertilizer. The plants are set to be cultivated in 

 both directions and are not supported in the field. Yields vary 

 materially. "Where the ground has not been occupied previously 

 for the production of this crop the Sassafras silt loam has been 

 known to produce 12 tons or more of tomatoes per acre. In gen- 

 eral, average yields, however, run from 6 to 8 tons upon this type 

 of soil. The tomatoes are well known for quality and flavor, but 

 constitute a late crop suitable for canning purposes rather than an 

 early crop for market shipment. 



