234 THE SOILS OF CECIL COUNTY 



The soils of the Cecil clay consist of heavy reddish loam, to an 

 average depth of 10 inches, underlain by red clay loam, which grade 

 into stiff red clay. These soils are easily distinguished by their deep 

 red color when in a moist condition. They are seldom over a few 

 feet in depth and pass into broken pieces of gabbro and other rocks, 

 from which they are derived. Generally there is a trace of broken 

 quartz fragments scattered on the surface and mixed with the soils. 

 Often there are small amounts of broken pieces of angular stone, 

 rarely exceeding a few inches in length. These soils are much 

 heavier than the Cecil loam and rank as strong clay soils, capable of 

 standing hard farming, and also capable of being brought to a high 

 state of productiveness. "While the soils of this formation are gener- 

 ally quite uniform wherever found, the areas northeast of Calvert 

 and east of Appleton partake somewhat of the nature of the soils 

 of the serpentine clay (Conowingo clay) as far as their productiveness 

 is concerned. There is doubtless some mixture with the serpentine 

 clay, but as they more closely resemble the Cecil clay in texture and 

 general characteristics they have been correlated with this formation. 



The Cecil clay soils are generally classed with the Cecil loam as 

 regards fertility, but by proper cultivation they can be made far more 

 productive, and they are not so easily exhausted. It is said that one- 

 half of the fertilizers necessary on the Cecil loam will suffice on these 

 soils. Lime is used with excellent results, and commercial fertilizers, 

 especially phosphates, are used in addition to frequent applications 

 of stable manures. 



The Cecil clay is well adapted to wheat and grass and produces 

 large crops. Wheat will yield from 20 to 30 or even 40 bushels per 

 acre in good years, and from 1 to 2 tons of timothy and clover hay 

 can be harvested. From 50 to 60 or even 80 bushels of corn can be 

 grown in favorable years, and yields of from 50 to 60 bushels of oats 

 are reported. Tomatoes for canning purposes also produce well on 

 these strong red clay soils, and from 200 to 400 bushels per acre can 

 be grown with careful treatment and with favorable weather condi- 

 tions. Apple trees make a healthy growth and bear well, but peaches 

 and pears do not succeed. The farms are seldom large in this forma- 



