38 
BULLETIX 1005, U. S. DEPARTMEXT OF AGEICULTL'EE. 
harvest begins in December and cutting is continued through the 
winter. 
Stable manure is used for the crop of kale to such an extent as 
'it can be obtained. Commercial fertilizer is appHed to an aggregate 
amount of 1,000 to 2,000 pounds per acre. About 500 pounds is 
appHed at the time of planting and additional top dressings are made 
during the winter months. The first application is frequently of 
the common formula for potatoes, 7-6-5, while the winter mixture 
consists of the more soluble goods, also used -for cabbage and spinach. 
The preferences expressed by growers for certain classes of land 
for growing the particular truck crops are summarized in Table VIII. 
Table VIII. — Soil preferences expressed by farmers. 
Num- 
ber of 
replies. 
Sand. 
Sandy loam. 
Loam. 
Clay. 
Crop. 
Num- 
ber. 
Per 
cent. 
Num- 
ber. 
Per 
cent. 
Num- 
ber. 
Per 
cent. 
Num- 
ber. 
Per 
cent. 
5 
G 
15 
16 
11 
32 
17 
17 
20 
19 
15 
5 
1 
3 
3 
2 
100. a 
17.0 
20.0 
20.0 
18.0 
Cantaloupe.. . .. 
5 
10 
10 
6 
25 
\" 
7 
5 
3 
83.0 
67.0 
60.0 
55.0 
7&0 
55.0 
41.0 
35.0 
26.0 
20.0 
Sweet potato 
2 
3 
3 
7 
3 
6 
12 
11 
13.0 
20.0 
27.0 
22.0 
17.0 
35.0 
35.0 
63.0 
73.0 
Pea"? . ... 
Potatoes 
Beans 
Spinach 
Strawberries 
4 
22.0 
1 
4 
6 
2 
1 
6.0 
24.0 
30.0 
Cabbage 
Kale 
10.0 
7.0 
Although the number of replies received was too small to give a 
decisive answer to the question of local soil preferences for the 
different truck crops, yet the grouping of the preferences is rather 
significant. 
GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 
The study of the Norfolk trucking district indicates very clearly 
that the different classes of farming and the production of the different 
crops are closely related to the differences in drainage conditions 
which exist -svithin the district. 
These drainage conditions are controlled by (a) location with re- 
spect to the natural outlets, (b) the altitude and slope of the land 
surface, and (c) the texture or relative porosity of the soil and sub- 
soil. The classification of the soils of the district is closely related 
to these features. 
The soils of the Sassafras and Norfolk series are relatively well 
drained. They lie chiefly in positions near the natural drainage 
outlets, along the shore line and the larger tidewater embayments. 
They occupy positions of some elevation above water level. They 
vary in texture to a considerable extent, and tliis variation, wliich 
establishes the individual soil type, exerts a considerable influence 
