BOILS OF EASTERN VIRGINIA. 39 



upon the utilization of the different soils of these series for the grow- 

 ing of crops. 



The soils of the Keyport and Suffolk series are not naturally well 

 drained. They occupy flat upland areas at some distance from the 

 more pronounced drainage channels. They are chiefly of fine-grained 

 texture, ranging from fine sandy loam to loam and silt loam. Only 

 areas where artificial drainage has been installed are well suited to 

 the production of truck crops. Other areas are used for growing 

 forage crops or else remain in forest. 



The soils of the Portsmouth series are naturally poorly drained, 

 large tracts remaining in a semiswampy condition. They are chiefly 

 found in depressed and level areas in positions around stream heads 

 or remote from the deeper-cut stream ways. They are chiefly for- 

 ested. Where artificial drainage has been established they are used 

 for the growing of forage crops and of some truck crops. 



The detailed studies of the relationships between soil types and 

 crops indicate a selection of certain soils for specific crop uses. 



The Sassafras coarse sandy loam, occurring on low elevations and 

 ridges, is esteemed as a year-round trucking soil. Two-thirds of its 

 area within the limits of the surveys is cleared and over one-half is 

 used for truck crops, both winter and spring. Strawberries lead in 

 acreage. Spinach is the most important winter truck crop on this 

 type. Important areas of cabbage, early potatoes, and snap beans 

 are also encountered. The total area of the type in the Norfolk 

 district is of rather limited extent. 



The Sassafras fine sandy loam, occurring on level or gently sloping 

 uplands, near the deeper stream ways, is a highly prized soil for truck 

 crop production. Approximately two-thirds of its area is under 

 cultivation. For spring truck crops over one-half of its area is util- 

 ized, and in summer and fall about 36 per cent of its area is used for 

 trucking. Potatoes and cucumbers are the most important spring 

 crops; spinach and kale lead among winter crops. Cabbage and a 

 spring crop of snap beans are also grown. The area given to straw- 

 berries within the limits of these surveys is small. 



The Sassafras loam is of limited extent within the surveys and in 

 the general district. It occurs on level areas near well-established 

 drainage ways. Because of this position it is chiefly cleared and 

 used for the growing of truck crops. Two-thirds of its area is thus 

 utilized in both fall and spring. Strawberries lead in acreage, while 

 cabbage and potatoes are important spring crops. Spinach is the 

 chief winter truck crop, occupying more than one-half of the area of 

 the type. 



The Norfolk coarse sandy loam, found on low ridges and gentle 

 upland slopes, is a preferred soil for trucking purposes. Over 70 per 

 cent of its area is cleared and almost entirely occupied for the growing 



