54 BULLETIN" 677^ U. S. DEPAHTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



forms of use. The other general farm crops are grown in well- 

 balanced rotation with them. 



The Sassafras sandy loam is the only type of any extent upon 

 which the general farm crops occur in area greater than the standard 

 for all types. Even on this type the truck crops exceed the general 

 farm crops in importance. As in the Thorofare area it is evident 

 that this type is suited to a wide range of crop uses. The fact that 

 a relatively small acreage of asparagus is grown on the Sassafras 

 sandy loam should also be observed. The deeper sandy soils are 

 preferred for that crop as at Thorofare. 



The Colts Neck loamy sandy is third in area of the types mapped. 

 Its use for truck crops is distinct, since they occupy 65 per cent of 

 its area. The local preference for this soil for sweet potato growing 

 is also well indicated by the map, 25 per cent of its area being given 

 to that crop. It is also an important soil for growing asparagus 

 and tomatoes. 



The Collington fine sandy loam occupies but 5 per cent of the total 

 area of the survey, but is very thoroughly brought under cultivation. 

 Sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and asparagus are the chief truck crops 

 grown upon it, while corn is the only important general farm crop. 



The other soil types mai3ped in the Swedesboro area are relatively 

 of unimportant extent. It is seen that the more sandy soils are 

 chiefly utilized for truck-crop production, while those of heavier 

 texture or those whose natural drainage conditions are not good are 

 chiefly occupied by general farm crops, and that in some instances 

 forest and pasture land dominate. It should be stated that the small 

 area mapped as Sassafras loam is scarcely typical, since it occurs in 

 two small depressions where loamy wash from the upland soils has 

 accumulated. It is only used for pasture and for hay growing. 



The facts shown by the Swedesboro map will justify the assertion 

 that the presence of suitable sandj^ or sandy loam soils, even at 

 some distance from city markets, results in southern New Jersey 

 in the adoption of farm practices which strongly tend toward truck- 

 crop production. 



COMPARISON OF THE DETAILED AREAS. 



The four areas for which these detailed soil and crop maps were 

 made were selected primarily to secure a representative condition of 

 cropping for each of the more extensive and important soils found 

 in southern New Jersey. It was also found to be possible to locate 

 them in such a manner that contrasts between important soil types 

 and their influence upon cropping and agricultural practice were 

 possible. Thus, the Freehold and Sweedesboro areas may easily 

 be contrasted and the Hartford and Thorofare areas form a couple 

 well suited to the study of the influence of soil upon crop practices. 



