MARYLAND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 33 



which has been the source of large revenue in the past and under modern 

 methods will doubtless again revive. 



The mineral resources of the county are not important, although ex- 

 tensive areas are underlain by clay and marl, the former affording the 

 basis for the manufacture of common brick, while the latter can at times 

 be advantageously employed for the improvement of the land. 



The transportation facilities of St. Mary's County are mainly fur- 

 nished by the Baltimore, Chesapeake and Atlantic Eailroad which runs 

 frequent boats to the various landings on the shores of the Patuxeait 

 and Potomac rivers. A branch line connecting with the Popes Creek 

 Branch of the Philadelphia, Baltimore and AYashington Eailroad reaches 

 the northern limits of the county at Charlotte Hall and plans are on foot 

 for the extension of this road southward through the county to a terminus 

 near Point Lookout. With the completion of this line St. Mary's County 

 will be in close communication both by rail and water with Baltimore 

 and Washington. 



The present volume contains a discussion of the physiography, geology, 

 agricultural soils, hydrography, climate, terrestrial magnetism and for- 

 estry of the county, which together constitute the physical features. All 

 of these are essential to an understanding of the natural resources and 

 possess an interest not only from an economic but from an educational 

 view-point. W. B. C. 



