THE HAGEESTOWN LOAM. 17 



Owing to climatic surroundings it is also used for the production 

 of cotton and cowpeas in northern Alabama. 



In general this type has been held at too high a value for general 

 farming purposes to permit of its extensive use for orcharding, but 

 in some portions of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia it has 

 been planted to a restricted number of apple varieties. 



The Hagerstown loam was early sought as a valuable general farm- 

 ing soil and has been completely occupied by productive and valuable 

 farms. 



Its crop producing capacity has been maintained and in many 

 instances increased during 200 years of cultivation. 



The proper disposition of the corn and grass grown upon this type, 

 together with the prevalence of native bluegrass pasture over it, led 

 at an early date to the establishment of beef production as an impor- 

 tant branch of farming on its area. 



The Hagerstown loam easily holds high rank among the most 

 fertile soils in the eastern portion of the United States. 



Approved. 



JAMES WILSON, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



