MARYLAXD GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 



175 



The soil consists of a brown or gray silty loam having an average 

 depth of about 9 inches. It grades down into a heavy yellow loam 

 which is imderlain at about 28 inches by a mottled yellow and gray 

 clay loam. On account of its low-lying position this soil is apt to be 

 wet and difficult to cultivate. For the same reason the circulation of 

 the soil moisture and the soil atmosphere is impeded. 



In its natural state this soil is occupied by the sweet gum and wil- 

 low oak. When cleared it affords good grazing, and is capable of pro- 



ducing excellent crops of wheat and grass. The small areas of this 

 soil occurring in Prince George's County can be made to produce 

 from 25 to 35 bushels of wheat or 2 tons of hay per acre by proper 

 underdrainage and intelligent cultivation. 



The texture of representative samples is sho^\^l in the accom- 

 panying table. 



THE CECIL MICA LOAM. 



The Cecil mica loam is a residual soil, occupying an area less than 

 1 square mile in extent in the extreme northern portion of Prince 

 George's County and considerable areas in the District of Columbia. 

 It is found along the steeper stream courses where overlying sedi- 



