184 THE FOKESTS OF ST. MAKY'S COUNTY 



loblolly from the soiith. This is evident from the fact that the scrub 

 pine is very abundant in the northern jaart of the county, and decreases 

 toward the southern part; while the loblolly pine is growing in pure 

 stands in the southern part, becoming less abundant toward the north. 



There were no treeless areas in the county, except those under culti- 

 vation, and small areas along the coast where brackish water comes in 

 and renders the soil unfit for tree growth. These areas are usually 

 covered with a dense mat of grasses and sedges. 



The character of the present forests and their condition bears no re- 

 semblance to the original forests. Tlie original forests have suffered 

 so much from unconservative cutting that to-day only the less important 

 timber species are re23resented on large areas. The post and black-jack 

 oaks, sour gum, persimmon, chinquapin, birch, and scattered elm, beech, 

 and ashes are the most frequent species. There is only a small amount 

 of yellow poplar immediately bordering the streams. The pines are of 

 small size and the hardwood forests are so mixed with small, uneven- 

 aged trees that they cannot yield more than a home supply of lumber. 

 The frequent extensive opening of the forest has resulted in dense growths 

 of brush which rendered it almost impossible for the more important 

 tree species to come in. 



Character axd Composition. 



The forests of St. Mary's County are peculiar in being made up of 

 trees very variable in age, kinds, and species. The occurrence of species 

 changed markedly with the condition of the soil in different localities. 

 Along the river bottoms where the soil is moist and gravelly the red 

 gum, black ash, yellow poplar, and willow oak thrive most abundantly. 

 In a zone just above this, where the soil is of sand and clay and well- 

 drained, the white, red, scarlet, j-ellow, and Spanish oaks mingle with 

 scrub pine, chestnut, hickory, and birch. Still farther up on the higher 

 reaches the rock oak and chestnut predominate. Here the soil is sandy 

 and well-drained, and scrub pine is rapidly taking the place of hard- 

 woods. 



The soil is sufficiently fertile to support a vigorous growth of all the 



