60 BULLETIX 1005, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTXTRE. 
potatoes; while the loam soils are preferred decidedly for cabbage 
production. 
In comparing these districts -^-ith those farther to the north, it 
should be held in mind that early marketing is a prime requisite for 
both the Norfolk and the Eastern Shore districts, so that a somewhat 
more sandy and early soil is desired for potato growing than in the 
case of the New Jersey areas. Even in that district there is a strong 
tendency to use the Sassafras sandy loam for growing Irish Cobblers 
and heavier soils for other and later varieties.' The same type is the 
preferred Cobbler soil on the Eastern Shore, while fine sandy loams 
are preferred and more extensively used for growing the crop in the 
Norfolk district. 
These well-drained and warm soils seem to combhie earluiess of 
maturity with moderate to high yields in the case of potatoes and 
to be the very best soils for truck crop potato growing in the Middle 
Atlantic Coast region. 
•Potatoes. — Seventy-one growers of potatoes reported 2,242 acres 
iQ this crop, or an average of 31.6 acres each. The most extensive 
grower reports 175 acres; the smallest, 1 acre. The acreages m. 
the majority of cases are between 20 and 75 acres. 
The reported yields of potatoes range from 35 to 110 barrels per 
acre, with the great majority of growers reportuig 50 to 75 barrels. 
Many report yields of 80 to 100 barrels, and yields as large as this 
are undoubtedly obtaiued ia numerous instances in. both counties. 
In the management of the potato crop the great majority of 
growers r-eport the use of some winter cover crop on the land where 
potatoes are to be gro^vn. The most common crop is rye, alone, or 
rye and crimson clover. Wheat also is used alone or with crimson 
clover or winter vetch. Oats are similarly used in some cases. 
Stable manure is applied to potato ground, wherever obtainable, 
the home supply of manure being augmented in most cases by 
compostiQg with pine needles, or "shatters," and with other forest 
litter. This practice is common in the two counties and woods 
refuse is so highly prized that nearly every farm retains a small 
woodlot withia which the annual crop of pine needles and other 
refuse is carefully protected for use in composting with stable manure. 
(See PL XVII.) 
The use of commercial fertilizer at the time these inquiries were 
made was greatly disturbed by war conditions, potash salts being 
practically unprocurable. The farmers were therefore asked to 
report the usual practice and any existing variations. From replies 
received it appears that the common formula for potato fertilizer is 
7 per cent of ammonia, 6 per cent phosphoric acid, and 5 per cent 
potash, and that with a shortage of potash the proportion of 
