58 BULLETIN 1005, tf. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The Elkton sandy loam covers 468 acres or 26.3 per cent of the area. It carries the" 



following acreages and percentages of leading crops: 



Per cent 

 Acres. of crop. 



Irish potatoes. ... .... ......... ...... .,,,.-,, . 42. 10. 2 



Sweet potatoes 38. 2 13. 3 



Strawberries '. , 21. 6 37, 



Onions .-. - 5. 21. 5 



These crop relationships show clearly that the Sassafras sandy 

 loam is preferred for growing Irish potatoes, is greatly preferred for 

 the sweet potato crop, is about normal for growing onions, and is 

 used for the production of the greater part of the miscellaneous 

 vegetables. 



The Keyport sandy loam is an approved Irish potato soil, is slightly 

 discriminated against for sweet potato production, and is a preferred 

 soil for strawberries and onions. 



The Elkton sandy loam is discriminated against for both Irish and 

 sweet potatoes, is a strongly preferred strawberry soil, and neither 

 chosen nor avoided for onions. 



No information regarding the cabbage crop and little regarding 

 onion production can be obtained from this map. Cabbages are 

 chiefly grown in the southern part of Northampton County. The 

 largest acreage of onions is normally found in the vicinity of Onan- 

 cock, Accomac County. Moreover, both crops are chiefly harvested 

 at an earlier season than that of the Onley map. Stevens' survey of 

 the two counties would indicate that the Sassafras sandy loam and 

 fine sandy loam are known to be the types chosen for winter cabbage 

 production and that both the Keyport sandy loam and the Sassafras 

 sandy loam are used for onion growing. 



SOIL AND CROP ACREAGES FOR SEPTEMBER. 



Some very striking changes in crop occupation become evident 

 when the crop map for July is compared with that for September. 

 The area in forest remains the same, the area in orchard is slightly 

 increased, as is also that not occupied at the time by annual crops. 



The total cropped area changes little, since 54.8 per cent of the 

 total area is still occupied by annual crops, but the distribution is 

 quite different. The truck crops have been largely harvested, their 

 area sinking to 24 per cent of the total, while forage crops increase 

 to 30.8 per cent. There is no change in the relative importance of 

 sweet potatoes, as digging begins in September. The acreage in 

 Irish potatoes is only 71 acres, compared with 410 acres in July. The 

 crop is almost entirely harvested between July and September and 

 its place is taken by a fall crop of Irish potatoes, grown for seed, and 

 by a greatly increased acreage of corn and of corn and cowpeas, 

 planted together. A number of other forage crops in small acreage 

 also appear. 



