316 SANDS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT 



rightly managed, therefore, they are well adapted for growing 

 potatoes, strawberries, melons, pineapples, garden truck and 

 small fruit. 



Following is a brief discussion concerning the growing of 

 other crops. 



Soybeans, — ^A splendid legume for sand improvement. Grows 

 well on slightly to medium acid soils. Sands strongly acid should 

 be limed. Inoculation is usually necessary. Usually best to plant 

 in rows. Supply mineral fertilizers. Ranks high in feeding value. 

 A good cash crop (Fig. 129). 



Mammoth Clover, — ^An excellent clover for poor sands. Liming 

 necessary if soils are acid. Inoculate for best results. Sow with 

 drill. Top-dress young seeding with manure or mixed fertilizers. 



Cowpeas, — Of particular value in. the Southern states, though 

 adapted to a wide range of climate. May be grown for seed and 

 feed. Inoculation important. Well adapted to sHghtly or medium 

 acid soils. Hay ranks lower in feeding value than soybeans. 



Velvet Beans. — ^A most useful soil-enriching legume for the 

 South. Grows well on acid soils. Inoculate, except when grown on 

 land which has grown lespedeza or cowpeas successfully. On very 

 poor soil use acid phosphate. Has high feeding value. 



Crimson Clover, — ^A clover for the Middle Atlantic states. 

 Lime strongly acid soils. 



Medium Red Clover, — Grows best on non-acid soils. Sow in 

 same manner as mammoth clover. May take the place of mam- 

 moth clover when soils become improved. 



Vetch. — In some sections this plant has not attained the favor 

 as other legumes. First attempts are often failures. Good to sow 

 in rye. Inoculate. Lime strongly acid soils. 



Alfalfa, — Crop too uncertain. Should not be grown unless 

 soils are well supplied with lime and highly improved. Inocula- 

 tion necessary. 



Rye (winter). — ^Best grain for poor sands. Sow with drill. 

 Top-dress with manure or fertilizers. '^Drag'' or harrow in the 

 spring. Avoid too thick seeding. Plant early to permit of good 

 winter covering. 



Potatoes, — ^Well adapted to sands. Best to follow a green- 

 manuring crop, or be grown on clover sod. Apply mineral fertil- 

 izers in drill. 



Corn, — Can be grown with good success on sands. Best to 

 grow on cover sod. 



