Generel Characteristics of tne Regicn. 
“he section of the state, commoniv known as Western 
Marvland, consists cf the three counties, Washington, Aliegh- 
anv, «end Garrett. “his region is largely broken up by tnree 
mountain ranges, the Blue Ridge, the Appalachain/ and the 
Alleghany. The Blue Ridge, in the eastern part, is tne lowest 
of the three mountains, Tt consists of a series of rolling 
ridges, many of which are not over 500 feet above sea level, 
Thés region is devoted to general farming, and fruit growing 
is not commercially important, Eetween the rlue nidge and 
the Appalachain Mountains is a broad valley, extending from 
Virginia Through Marvland and up inte Pennsvlvania. This val- 
lev affords excellent farming lend, but is not well adapted 
to fruit frowing. The Appalachain Range is about fifty miles 
wide in Western Marviland, end consists cf numerous ridges, 
ravine on aitituee af Inno feet or over, The valleys between 
these ridges sre usually not more than a mile: and a half to 
three Miles wide, and Post of them rit north and south, or 
are turned slishtly to the Fast of west. The elevation of tre 
vallevs is about 500 feet, These veileys are generally smooth 
and rerular, with an average prade dr about ©.2 pereent, The 
Slope of the valley sides ts naturally so:iewhat greater, but 
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