MAIIYLAND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IGl 



ing up of streams is progressing so rapidly that areas whioli once per- 

 mitted navigation by small boats now form tide flats and marshes. This 

 is notably the case along the lower course of Hunting Creek and at the 

 mouths of streams flowing into the Patuxent. Along the Bay shore the 

 waves are cutting away the coast line so rapidly that marshes are not 

 formed so extensively. The mouths of Fishing Creek and of Parker 

 Creek are swampy and the sand bar built up by wave action at Cove 

 Point encloses a marshy lagoon. 



These swamp areas and the more extensive marshes formed by the 

 silting up of the Patuxent Eiver do not form a part of the agricultural 

 area of the county. In some places diking and drainage might reclaim 

 parts of the swamp areas. The swamps would be made to furnish a 

 supply of muck and peat for composting with stable manures and also 

 lime which would form a very desirable fertilizer. In their present state 

 the muck and peat are not sufficiently decomposed to furnish an imme- 

 diate supply of plant food. 



Agricultural Condition. 



The consideration of the possibilities of development of any agri- 

 cultural region must depend upon the soil, climate, and transportation 

 facilities, combined with the physical and mental energy of its inhabi- 

 tants and upon other social and industrial conditions. 



Eight distinct soil types are found in Calvert County. The areas of 

 these soil types and their boundaries and positions have been determined 

 by this survey. Their origin, their peculiarities, their present produc- 

 tion, and something of their capabilities are here discussed and 

 the accompanying map shows their distribution. The facts as determined 

 may be summarized briefly. 



The Norfolk loam occupies scattered areas of the upland. The soil 

 is a silty to fine sandy loam underlain by a slightly heavier subsoil. The 

 usual crops of the region are raised upon this soil and it is recognized 

 as desirable land for the production of corn, wheat, and tobacco. The 

 character of the soil regarding .texture, drainage, and location leads to 

 its classification as a soil adapted to the production of the late truck 



