The agricultural cropland of the tidewater counties covers an area 

 of 2,348,861 acres or 3,670 square miles. The value of agricultural 

 crops and livestock of this region is an estimated $500 million dollars. 

 The agricultural crops of the Chesapeake Bay watershed are shown in 

 Figure 1. The eastern shore of Maryland is famous for truck crops due 

 to its sandy productive soil, sufficient water and long growing peirod. 

 The other most important crops are soybeans, corn and wheat. On the 

 western shore of Maryland the major crops are hay, corn, tobacco, wheat, 

 and some soybeans and vegetables. In the Virginia region the main 

 agricultural crops are corn, soybeans, peanuts, wheat, barley and tobacco. 

 In the Delaware area the main crops are corn, soybeans, hay, lima beans, 

 barley, rye, oats and vegetables. The livestock and poultry industry 

 is fairly extensive and includes dairy and beef cattle, hogs, and chickens, 

 In Delaware the value of the livestock, poultry, and related products is 

 about $95 million per year. 



Another type of vegetation of Chesapeake Bay is the rather extensive 

 saltmarshes and wetlands. This is estimated to be 8.5 percent of the land 

 area of Delaware. Wetland areas are of great importance to wildlife and 

 production of aquatic life. The main vegetation is composed of various 

 grasses, saltbush, cattail and other associated species. Salt hay is 

 mowed in some of the regions and is of value for mulch. 



