THE SOILS OF PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY 



BY 



JAY A. BONSTEEL. 



Introductory. 



The relationship existing between tlie geplogy and the soils of any 

 given area constitutes an important phase of the agricultural investi- 

 gation of the region. The influence exerted by the geology on the 

 soils is of great importance in the theoretical consideration of the 

 origin of the soils and of practical importance in determining the 

 area, the characteristics, and the resources of each particular soil 

 type. All of the geological formations of the world have been divided 

 and sub-divided into formations and groups of formations in accord- 

 ance with their sequence of deposition, as indicated by their relative 

 positions with regard to one another and in accordance with the 

 stage of development of fossil life forms that have been buried in the 

 different layers. 



Since the basis of geological classification is one of age and of 

 place relationships, Avliile the fundamental principle of soil classi- 

 fication depends upon differences of soil texture, a given geological 

 formation may give rise to two or more soil types. On the other 

 hand, since the mineral composition and rock texture of different 

 geological formations may closely resemble each other though their 

 ages differ, so a single soil formation may be derived from two or 

 more geological formations. Physiographic relations to stream 

 drainage and to climate are also considered in the classification of 

 the soils. 



Prince George's Count}' lies almost wholly within the Coastal 

 Plain region of the State, though its extreme northern boundary 

 slightly overlaps upon the Piedmont Plateau. Only a single soil 

 type, the Cecil mica loam, is derived from the crystalline rocks of 



