MARYLAND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



169 



sandy or rather heavy yellow loain, usually more than 5 feet in depth. 

 While not so retentive of moisture as heavier types of soil, the Sassa- 

 fras sandy loam is easily cultivated and its manipulation is perhaps 

 better understood than that of the heavier soils. It is capable of 

 producing- a Avider range of crops than it now supports. Green peas, 

 sugar corn, and peaches are cultivated with success upon this soil in 



other localities. The texture of its soil and subsoil is exhibited by the 

 accompanying analyses . 



THE NORFOLK LOAM. 



The ISTorfolk loam occupies about 15 square miles, chiefly in the 

 "Forest of Prince George." It occurs upon the uplands along the 

 western and main branches of the Patuxtent River. The surface of 

 the soil is rolling or hilly. It rarely descends below an altitude of 

 100 feet, and only in a few cases rises above 160 feet. 



Almost the entire area of the Norfolk loam has been under cultiva- 

 tion since the early settlement of the county. The original forest 

 was long ago removed and little second growth has been allowed to 

 spring up. The fact that this part of the county is referred to as 

 the "Forest of Prince George" would indicate that it was originally 

 heavily timbered. 



