SOILS OF EASTERN VTROTN-IA. 39 
upon the utilization of tlio difTeront soils of those series for the grow- 
ing of crops. 
The soils of the Keyport and Suffolk series are not naturally well 
drained. They occupy flat upland areas at some distance from the 
more pronounced drainage channels. They are chiefly of fine-grained 
texture, ranging from fine sandy loam to loam and silt loam. Only 
areas where artificial drainage has been installed are well suited to 
the production of truck crops. Other areas are used for growing 
forage crops or else remain in forest. 
The soils of the Portsmouth series are naturally poorly drained, 
large tracts remaining in a semiswampy condition. They are chiefly 
found in depressed and level areas in positions around stream heads 
or remote from the deeper-cut stream ways. They are chiefly for- 
ested. Where artificial drainage has been established they are used 
for the growing of forage crops and of some truck crops. 
The detailed studies of the relationships between soil types and 
crops indicate a selection of certain soils for specific crop uses. 
The Sassafras coarse sandy loam, occurring on low elevations and 
ridges, is esteemed as a year-round trucking soil. Two-thirds of its 
area within the limits of the surveys is cleared and over one-half is 
used for truck crops, both winter and spring. Strawberries lead in 
acreage. Spinach is the most important winter truck crop on this 
type. Important areas of cabbage, early potatoes, and snap beans 
are also encountered. The total area of the type in the Norfolk 
district is of rather limited extent. 
The Sassafras fine sandy loam., occurring on level or gently sloping 
uplands, near the deeper stream ways, is a highly prized soil for truck 
crop production. Approximately two-thirds of its area is under 
cultivation. For spring truck crops over one-half of its area is util- 
ized, and in summer and fall about 36 per cent of its area is used for 
trucking. Potatoes and cucumbers are the most important spring 
crops; spinach and kale lead among winter crops. Cabbage and a 
spring crop of snap beans are also grown. The area given to straw- 
berries within the limits of these surveys is small. 
The Sassafras loam is of limited extent within the surveys and in 
the general district. It occurs on level areas near well-established 
drainage ways. Because of this position it is chiefly cleared and 
used for the growing of truck crops. Two-thirds of its area is thus 
utilized in both fall and spring. Strawberries lead in acreage, while 
cabbage and potatoes are important spring crops. Spinach is the 
chief w^inter truck crop, occupying more than one-half of the area of 
the type. 
The Norfolk coarse sandy loam, found on low ridges and gentle 
upland slopes, is a preferred soil for trucking purposes. Over 70 per 
cent of its area is cleared and almost entirely occupied for the growing 
