SOILS OF EASTERN VIRGINIA. 63 



early to permit transplanting, and it is sufficiently well drained to 

 produce a large yield of roots. 



It is evident that the growing of sweet potatoes has not become 

 as well standardized in this district as that of Irish potatoes. The 

 crop is somewhat subordinate in importance, although coming to be 

 grown more extensively. It fits in well with the growing of Irish 

 potatoes and helps to distribute the employment of labor through the 

 year. It can be recommended as a crop thoroughly well suited to 

 the Sassafras sandy loam and to the better drained, areas of the 

 Keyport sandy loam. 



Cabbage. — Only 22 answers were received with regard to the cab- 

 bage crop. These represent 72 acres, or an average of 3| acres for 

 each grower. The acreage ranges from one-half acre to 12 acres 

 each. The use of cover crops and manure is about the same as for 

 potatoes. 



The cabbage crop is a winter and early spring crop in this region 

 and the fertilizer practice is adjusted to the cool growing conditions 

 of the early part of the winter season. Growers use two different 

 formula?. The standard formula for application before transplanting, 

 intended to carry the crop throughout the season, is almost uniformly 

 the potato formula, 7-6-5. In addition, side dressings are made, 

 during the colder months, of a mixture analyzing 10 per cent ammonia 

 in some soluble form, 6 per cent phosphoric acid, and 5 per cent 

 potash. The amount of fertilizer applied varies from 1,000 to 2,000 

 pounds per acre, with the majority of growers using about 1,500 

 pounds. Of this 1,000 pounds or more is of the 7-6-5 formula and 

 500 pounds or less contain the larger amount of soluble ammonia. 



Fourteen growers, or 70 per cent, prefer a loamy soil for cabbage 

 and 6 prefer a sandy loam soil. The yields reported range from 85 

 to 200 one-barrel crates per acre with an average production of about 

 150 barrels. 



The cabbage crop is not sufficiently represented in the Onley area 

 to afford verification of these expressed soil preferences, but they are 

 well in accord with the general practice in cabbage growing. 



Onions. — Sixteen growers report a total of 44 acres of onions. 

 The individual areas range from 1 to 15 acres, the majority producing 

 from 1 to 3 acres. The use of cover crops and manures preceding 

 onions is general. The applications of fertilizer range from 500 to 

 1,700 pounds per acre, with 1,000 to 1,200 pounds predominating. 

 The potato formula, 7-6-5, is dominant, although in the absence of 

 potash several growers report the use of 7-8-0 or 5-8-0. 



The reported yields range from 30 to 500 one-bushel crates, with 

 an average of about 200 bushels per acre. 



The onion crop is scarcely represented in the Onley area. It is 

 grown more extensively in the vicinity of Onancock, where both the 



