180 THE SOILS OF PRINCE GEORGE S COUNTY 



and are seeking to enlarge their facilities hx raising redtop and other 

 grasses. 



Among the soils of the county the Cecil mica loam is notable as 

 the only residual soil. It occurs in many other areas along the 

 Atlantic coast, and is usualh^ cultivated to corn, wheat, grass, 

 tomatoes, and orchard fruits. Under favorable conditions of season 

 it is capable of producing 15 to 25 bushels of wheat, 45 to 60 bushels 

 of com, and 1 or 2 tons of hay per acre. It is not a heavy soil and 

 therefore, while quickly responsive to applications of commercial 

 fertilizers or stable manure, it requires frequent applications of fer- 

 tilizer and careful farming to maintain the yields quoted. 



The Elkton clay is a strong productive soil when properly 

 drained, and with careful management is capable of producing 30 

 bushels of wheat or 2 tons of hay per acre. Liming and underdrain- 

 age are the chief requirements of this soil type. 



The Leonardtown gravelly loam is better adapted to the production 

 of peaches, pears, and other orchard fruits than to general farming. 

 Its texture, location, and drainage fit it for the fruits named. The 

 yield of wheat ranges from 15 to 18 bushels per acre; of corn, from 

 30 to 35 bushels. 



The Sassafras sandy loam is one of the most valuable of Coastal 

 Plain soils. In addition to its good texture it contains large stores of 

 plant food, is well drained and possesses a level, easily tilled surface 

 and usually an advantageous location with regard to transportation 

 facilities. Its full capabilities as a general crop soil have not been 

 reached in Prince George's County. With proper fertilization, 

 including the use of stable manure and of green crops plowed under, 

 the Sassafras sandy loam should produce 25 bnshels of wheat, 50 

 to 60 bushels of corn, and 2 tons of hay per acre. It is also well 

 adapted to the production of tomatoes, green peas, sugar corn, broom 

 corn, cabbages, and cucumbers. It is not a typical early truck soil, 

 but is capable of yielding good results when devoted to market gar- 

 dening. 



The Sassafras loam is found in many localities in the Atlantic 

 Coastal Plain. It is uniformly a medium to heavy loam, capable of 

 a high development as a general farming soil. In southwestern N'ew 



