SOILS OF EASTERN VIRGINIA. 57 
which are sHghtly above. It is evident that, in the local judgment, 
the Elkton sandy loam is not a good trucking soil except for straw- 
berries and that it is not even highly esteemed for the growing of 
forage crops. 
Elhton loam. — ^The Elkton loam iii not typically occupied within 
the limits of the Onley survey. The small areas found lie within the 
limits of fields dominated by other soils and they are tilled in accord- 
ance with the requirements of the more important types. Hence, 
68.6 per cent of the area of the type is cropped, an entirely unusual 
condition. Sweet potatoes are found on 29.4 per cent of its area, 
although this soil is not usually considered a good one for the crop. 
The presence of a rather high percentage of strawberries (PL XV, 
fig. 2) and of a relatively large area of corn and hay is more nearly 
in accordance with the local cropping practices on the Elkton loam. 
Generally, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, the Elkton loam is rather 
extensively forested and the cleared areas are most commonly used 
for the growing of forage crops, especially such as can be planted 
well along into the summer season when the type has had an oppor- 
tunity to dry out. 
Portsmouth sandy loam. — The presence of forest on 93.1 per cent 
of the area of the Portsmouth sandy loam is characteristic of the 
region. Its adventitious use for the growing of hay, for pasture, and 
for small areas of Irish and sweet potatoes is in accord with the 
general treatment of the type elsewhere in the two Eastern Shore 
counties. This soil is not commonly cleared and utilized except as 
small areas of it occur within the limits of other soils better suited 
to the common cropping systems of the region. 
Viewed from the standpoint of individual crops, the soil facts 
become even more striking. The following summary by crop areas 
and percentages brings out this relationship : 
The Sassafras sandy loam comprises 774 acres or 43.6 per cent of the entire area 
of the survey. It carries the following acreages and percentages of leading crops: 
Per cent 
Acres. of crop. 
Irish potatoes • 236. 57. 6 
Sweet potatoes 173. 4 60. 3 
Strawberries 13.2 22.6 
Onions. . .' 10. 6 41. 4 
Miscellaneous vegetables 3. 6 90. 
The Keyport sandy loam occupies 477 acres or 26.9 per cent of the area. It carries 
the following acreages and percentages of leading crops: 
Per cent 
Acres. of crop. 
Irish potatoes 128. 31. 2 
Sweet potatoes: 70. 24. 4 
- Strawberries 20.0 34.2 
Onions 7.6 32.8 
Miscellaneous vesetables 0. 4 10. 
