SOILS OP SOUTHEEKT NEW JERSEY AND THEIR USES. 75 



Summarized on the basis of the texture of soils — that is, by classes 

 of soils without reference to the soil series — the soil uses actually 

 found in southern New Jersey are now presented : 



Coarse saiuly types. — Asparagus and sweet potatoes are the only 

 crops grown in any large area. 



Gravelly sand. — Forested or used to a limited extent for peaches. 



Sand. — The most important early truck crop class. Preferred for 

 asparagus, sweet potatoes, cantaloupes, early tomatoes, watermelons, 

 peppers, eggplant, peas, and beans. Some sweet corn grown. 



Loamy sand. — An early truck soil. Used for sweet potatoes, as- 

 paragus, cantaloupes, early tomatoes, peppers, peas, beans, and egg- 

 plant. Also for corn, rye, alfalfa, mixed haj'^, and peach orchards. 



Fine sand. — A slightly later truck soil. Tomatoes, peppers, can- 

 taloupes, cucumbers, some sweet potatoes, and asparagus. Corn, rye, 

 and hay, peaches, bramble berries are grown. . 



All of these classes of soils have a far greater value for the pro- 

 duction of early truck crops than for any other purpose, provided 

 markets are available. In the latitude of New Jersey they mature 

 crops at a time when other areas oifer little competition. More loamy 

 soils mature crops at a later date and sometimes suffer from severe 

 competition with near-by localities slightly farther south. 



Coarse sandy loam. — Nearly as early as the sandy types. Sweet 

 potatoes, asparagus, early tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, predomi- 

 nate. Fairly good crops of mixed hay, good crops of corn, and 

 alfalfa are produced. Peaches, bramble berries, grapes are raised. 



Gravelly sandy loam. — When not indurated in the subsoil, produces 

 tomatoes, peppers, early Irish potatoes, early cabbage, corn, hay, and 

 some wheat. Extensively used for peach, apple, pear, and cherry 

 orchards and for plantations of berries and grapes. 



Sandy loam. — Possesses the widest range of crop adaptations of 

 any group, being fairly well suited to growing numerous truck crops 

 and nearly all of the general farm crops. Potatoes, tomatoes, pep- 

 pers, eggplant, cabbage, sweet corn, peas, beans, and even asparagus 

 and watermelons are grown. It is an excellent corn and hay group. 

 Alfalfa beginning to be grown. Fair crops of wheat and rye, and 

 some oats are raised. Good fruit soil when well drained. Apples, 

 pears, peaches, and berries thrive. 



This group forms an intermediate set of soils which produces large 

 yields of truck crops at a season usually slightly later than the sand 

 group. The more retentive subsoils permit the growing of the general 

 farm crops which require a longer growing season. The corn and 

 alfalfa crops are particularly successful on soils of this group. 



Fine sandy loam. — This class of soils falls naturally with the more 

 loamy and later maturing soil types. Potatoes, tomatoes for canning, 

 cabbage, and sweet corn are important special crops. The types 



