MARYLAND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 159 



the forelands bordering the Patuxent Kiver. The chief difference be- 

 tween these areas is found in their extent. The stream valleys are nar- 

 row and steep-walled, and the level or gently sloping portions of their 

 bottoms are the only parts of the upland forming typical meadows. 

 Even portions of these stream bottoms arc so wet and ill-drained as to 

 fall in the general classification of swamps, as is the case with the lower 

 courses of Fishing Creek, Parker Creek, and other large streams. 



The meadow lands of the stream valleys owe their origin primarily 

 to the action of the streams themselves. Channels have been and are 

 being cut into the unconsolidated materials which constitute the region 

 and the changing locations of the larger streams have broadened these 

 valleys. 



Then, too, local material contributed by every storm is carried part 

 way from the upland to the sea and is left temporarily at different points 

 along the valley. In some cases deposits of sand and gravel are formed ; 

 in others, clay and silt are deposited and a very irregular soil results. 

 The common characteristic of this entire soil mass is its moist condition 

 resulting entirely from its position relative to stream drainage. 



Upon these meadow areas a rank growth of poplar, sweet gum, alder, 

 and a few pines and oaks is found, generally overgrown by climbing 

 vines and interspersed in the more open portions by banks of ferns and 

 areas of coarse rank grasses. The position, attitude, and moisture con- 

 ditions are not favorable to the cultivation of crops and the only real 

 use made of these lands is to turn farm animals upon them to graze. 

 The open winters of the region permit of almost constant grazing, though 

 some of the meadow areas are frequently flooded to such an extent that 

 they become inaccessible. 



The meadow lands lying along the forelands are somewhat different. 

 They comprise low-lying areas which, on account of the line texture of 

 the soil or because of tlicir position near water level, are not so valuable 

 for general agricultural purposes as the prevailing soil types. How- 

 ever, these meadow lands are frequently cleared and fair crops, especially 

 grain crops, can be raised on them. 



The foreland meadows owe their origin to the deposition of fine silt 



