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THE SOILS OF ST. MARY S COUXTY 



All these deposits present the same sandy nature and form the same 

 general type of soil, hut they vary greatly in geological age. 



Along the shallow stream channels of the forest area of the county 

 narrow borders of this sandy soil are frequent. In the northern part 

 of the county the streams have also cut into the sandy layer, which is 

 the original source of this material. The covering of other materials 

 has been washed away and considerable areas of Norfolk sand are ex- 

 posed. Wherever found, this soil is recognized as well adapted to the 

 Maryland type of tobacco, and it shares with the Norfolk loam in the 



Mechanical Analyses of Norfolk Sand. 



reputation of producing a good grade and a reasonable quantity of the 

 crop. 



The soil consists of a red or brown sandy loam, having a depth of 

 about 9 inches. This is underlaid by an orange or red sand to a depth 

 of 3 feet or more. The natural growth on this soil includes chestnut, 

 oak, and laurel. The Norfolk sand is a typical early truck soil, and 

 has been very successfully farmed in truck crops all along the Atlantic 

 coast. It produces a quick growth and early maturity, and is therefore 

 much better adapted to the trucking business than to the production 

 of grain crops, which require a longer growing season. Peaches, pears, 

 early potatoes, and the common garden vegetables should be raised much 



