THE CHESTER LOAM. 9 



SUMMARY. 



The Chester loam is an important type of soil confined to the north- 

 ern Piedmont region and occurring principally in southeastern Penn- 

 sylvania, central Maryland', and north-central Virginia. 



The surface topography is rolling to somewhat hilly. It occupies 

 the more rolling portion of the Piedmont Plateau and natural drain- 

 age is well established. Only limited areas are yet undrained. 



In some localities excessive erosion has removed a considerable 

 proportion of the surface soil and such areas, if they are again to be 

 cultivated, should be carefully terraced and maintained in sod during 

 a considerable portion of the crop rotation. 



The Chester loam is an excellent general-purpose farming soil; 

 the principal crops grown are corn, wheat, oats, rye, potatoes, and 

 hay. 



These crops form the basis of the dairy industry in southeastern 

 Pennsylvania. Dairying and the production of beef cattle is also 

 extensively practiced in Maryland and Virginia. 



Tomatoes and Irish potatoes constitute practically the only special 

 or money crops grown to any extent upon the Chester loam. 



Apple orcharding has been undertaken to some extent. Peaches 

 are also planted, giving fair yields of excellent fruit. 



In Maryland and Pennsylvania at least 75 per cent of the entire 

 area of this soil is occupied for agricultural purposes, the remainder 

 consisting of woodlot and small patches of forest. In the more 

 southern areas erosion has prevented the general occupation of the 

 type and not more than 25 per cent is under tillage. 



The equipment of buildings, teams, and tools upon the Chester 

 loam is usually complete and well suited to the general farming 

 purposes to which the type is devoted. 



Approved. 



JAMES WILSON, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



WASHINGTON, D. C., December 20, 1911. 



