599 3 B7 py 2 HE SOILS OF ST. MARY'S COUNTY, MD, SHOWING THE RELATIONSHIPS OF THE GEOLOGY TO THE SOILS BY JAY ALLAN BONSTEEL A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD OF UNIVERSITY STUDIES OF THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, IN CONFORMITY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY JUNE, 1901 Oct i9 rr Ionian otf c *£ Baltimore December, 1905 THE SOILS OF ST. MARY'S COUNTY, MD. SHOWING THE RELATIONSHIPS OF THE GEOLOGY TO THE SOILS BY JAY ALLAN BONSTEEL A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD OF UNIVERSITY STUDIES OF THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, IN CONFORMITY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY JUNE, 1901 Baltimore December, 1905 ^ A f) CONTENTS. Page. Geography -- 125 History - - - 125 Physical geography and geology 126 Soils - -- 127 Norfolk loam - 127 Leonardtown loam - .. - 128 Susquehanna gravel 131 Windsor sand . . 132 Norfolk sand .- 132 Sassafras loam _ 1 _ - 131 Sassafras sandy loam - 134 Meadow -. 136 Swamp ...... 137 Conditions of agriculture.. - -- 138 Transportation -- 143 Climate .. 144 ILLUSTRATIONS. TEXT FIGURES. Fig. IS. Diagrammatic section from upland to tide level, showing outcrop- ping soil formations and terraces 126 14. Meadow in foreground, terrace of Leonardtown loam, and Norfolk loam and Windsor sand in background . . 126 15. Leonardtown loam, with Norfolk loam and Windsor sand in back- ground ..... ... . ... 129 16. Leonardtown loam, with narrow band of Susquehanna gravel over- lying Norfolk sand 130 MAP. Soil map, St. Mary County, Md Face page 145 ii U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DIVISION OF SOILS. MILTON WHITNEY, Chief. SOIL SURVEY OF ST. MARY COUNTY. MD. JAY A. BONSTEEL, [Reprinted from the Report on Field Operations op the Division of Soils for 1900.] SOIL SURVEY OF ST. MARY COUNTY, MD. By JAY A. BONSTEEL. GEOGRAPHY. St. Mary County comprises about 360 square miles of territory, bounded on the northeast by the Patuxent River, on the east by Chesapeake Bay, on the south and southwest by the Potomac River, and on the west by Wicomico River and Budds Creek. All of these waters except Budds Creek are either salt or brackish, and in the Patuxent and Potomac rivers"the tides rise to points far beyond the boundaries of the county. On the north, for a distance of about 25 miles, the boundary separating St. Mary from Charles County is an irregular land line, except along the northeastern portion, where Indian Creek forms the boundary. St. Margaret, Bullock, St. Catherine, Blackistone, Heron, and St. George islands lie within the limits of the county, since the jurisdic- tion of Maryland extends to the water's edge along the Virginia shore of the Potomac instead of running only to the middle of the river. The longest streams of St. Mary County, especially in the southern portion, are tributary to the Potomac River and to indenting bays. The chief streams are Chaptico Creek, St. Clements Creek, Mcintosh Run, and St. Mary River. None of these streams are navigable. The southern coast of the county is indented by numerous embay- ments. Notable among these are Chaptico Bay, St. Clement Bay, Breton Bay, and the estuary and mouth of St. Mary River. The county lies between the parallels of 38° and of 38° 30' north latitude and between the meridians of 76° 20' and 76° 55' west from Greenwich. It is irregular in outline, constituting a large peninsula stretching southeastward between the waters named. The county is the most southern of the Maryland counties occupying the western shore of Chesapeake Bay. HISTORY. St. Mary County was the scene of the earliest permanent coloniza- tion within the present limits of the State of Maryland, with the exception of a small settlement on Kent Island. In the year 1G34 Lord Baltimore's first colonists were sent out, and after touching at Jamestown, Va., they sailed up the Chesapeake Ba} 7 to the mouth of 125 126 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE DIVISION OF SOILS, 1900. the Potomac River. Proceeding up this stream, they landed on St. Clements (now Blackistone) Island, where Governor Calvert took formal possession of Lord Baltimore's grant. This, the first author- ized settlement in the State of Maryland, was made in what is now rr ■120 90 60 30 .0 Fig. 13.— Diagrammatic .section from upland to tide level, showing outcropping soil formations and terraces: M, Meadows; Ssl, Sassafras sandy loam; SI, Sassafras loam; Ns, Norfolk sand; Sg, Susquehanna gravel; LI, Leonardtown loam; Nl, Norfolk loam. St. Mary County. St. Mary City, formerly an Indian village, was the first permanent settlement made, and it was the capital of this colony from the time of its settlement until October, 1694. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. St. Mary Count} 7 lies wholly within the Coastal Plain area of Mary- land. It consists of an interior upland division, rising from 90 to 200 Fig. 11.— Meadow in foreground terrace of Leonardtown loam, with Norfolk loam and Windsor sand in background. feet above sea level, and of a low-lying foreland border varying from 15 to 45 feet above sea level. The county is very much indented by large estuaries or bays, particularly on the Potomac side. The SOIL SURVEY OF ST. MARY COUNTY, MD. 127 streams of any length flow into the Potomac drainage system, while only steep-walled streams of short length are tributary to the Patuxent. As in Calvert County, the basal skeleton of St. Mary County is built tip of unconsolidated strata, only Neocene formations being found in St. Mary. The materials composing these strata are the same as in Calvert County, even in respect to the marl beds. In the same way the later Pleistocene deposits are far more directly concerned in the formation of soil types than are the older strata, and the correlation of soil types with geological formations given in considerable detail for Calvert County also applies to St. Mary. An ideal section show- ing the arrangement of soils is illustrated in fig. 13. The chief geological difference between the two counties lies in the fact that in St. Mary the Eocene strata do not reach the surface, while in Calvert they do, and the Nomini formation is much more widely developed in southern St. Mary than in Calvert. The shell marls are the only ones present in large a § c3 a i- O © a o S +3 a -* •ga a a 1 No. Locality. Description. 03 ® o ia °:a -o a as a ■r. " d o +» ..a §a "3 a- ! S3 m 8 d o3 he Sh o > 1* O o IB a V > 03 5 P.ct. P. ct. P. ct. P. ct. P.ct. P.ct. P. ct. P.ct. 5110 2 J miles W. of Sot- terly. Yellow sandy loam, to 10 inches. 2.09 2.64 10.04 12.43 27.40 12. 45 23.50 9.70 5112 1 mile E. of New- market. Yellow sandy loam, to 14 inches. 1.61 Tr. .53 2.11 36. 67 18.66 31.08 9.24 5111 Subsoil of 5110 Medium red sand, 10 to -to inches. 2.10 2. til 12.46 14.35 31.94 7.78 13. 89 14.91 5113 Subsoil of 5112 Red sandy loam, 14 to 30 inches. 2.03 0.00 Tr. 2.38 35.11 19.44 17.32 23.63 LEONARDTOWN LOAM. The most extensive soil type in St. Mary County is the so-called white-oak or kettle-bottom soil of the upland. It extends from the vicinity of Ridge post office to the extreme northern limit of the county. The surface is slightly rolling or gently sloping, and the SOIL SURVEY OF ST. MARY COUNTY, MD. 129 broad, flat divides between the minor streams are covered by this soil. As the soil bears quite a variety of local names, it has seemed best to supplant them all by the name Leonardtown loam. The extensive forests of white oak and pitch pine occurring over the upland region are found largely on this tj^pe of soil. Where small irregular depressions without any outlet are found the sweet gum also flourishes. AVhere the Leonardtown loam is exposed on slopes to the washing action of rains, scalds or washes frequently form and they rapidly encroach upon the arable land. A permanent sod is the only sure cure for these scars, though brush dams cause a temporary delay in the progress of erosion. The cultivated areas of Leonardtown loam vary considerably in the Fig. 15. — Leonardtown loam, with Norfolk loam and Windsor sand in background. amounts of the various crops produced. Wheat, corn, and grass are best suited to this soil, while tobacco is better adapted to lighter, sandier soils. This soil type forms the nearest approach to the heavy clays of limestone regions that is found in the Coastal Plain of Mary- land. A treatment similar to that employed on the limestone soils should increase the productivity of the Leonardtown loam. The soil consists of a silty yellow loam, fine and powdery when dry, but puddling to a plastic clay-like mass when thoroughly wet. On redrying, this mass usually bakes to a hard, firm surface, or if stirred before being sufficiently dried, it clods up into hard lumps. The sub- soil consists of a brittle mass of clay lenses, lumps, and fragments separated from each other by seams and pockets of medium to fine 11167—01- 130 FIELD OPERATIONS OP THE DIVISION OF SOILS, 1900. sand. The subsoil, if evenly mixed, would form a somewhat sandy loam, but its peculiar structure causes it to act like a dense clay in its behavior toward the water circulation. The lenses of clay are slightly flattened and their edges overlap somewhat like the shingles on a roof. Consequently, water in its passage through the subsoil, follows a roundabout course along the sand-coated seams. Its progress downward is thus much delayed, and the subsoil is as impervious and as retentive of moisture as a heavy clay soil. The peculiar structure also gives rise to the brittleness noticed on plowing. The bright-yellow color of the soil indicates a lack of organic matter. This can be corrected by plowing under green crops and by the appli- cation of stable manures. The tendency toward puddling and baking Fig. hi. — Leouardtown loam, with narrow band of Susquehanna gravel overlying Norfolk sand. may be corrected by the application of lime. Figs. 15 and 16 show something of the general character and position of the Leouardtown loam. As has been indicated in the comparison of this soil with the residual soils of limestone areas, the Leouardtown loam is a type besl adapted to the production of grass and grain crops, and certain por- tions of the area found in St. Mary County are at present producing good hay and grain crops. The gradual introduction of live stock should largely increase the producing capacity of this soil, since the crops best suited to the soil can be fed directly to cattle. The saving in the fertilizer bill in this connection is an important item in farm economics. I SOIL SURVEY OF ST. MARY COUNTY, MD. 131 The following analyses show the texture of the Leonardtown loam soil and subsoil: Mechanical analyses of Leonardtown loam. ^ **? ,_, _, p o d a s c3 a a to d a d rt e|S » . 3 c No. Locality. Description. "S co as g «'§ * 3 b3 a CO... °a "2 9 os a co B C— . o* IS si la 0) ad 03 «<= o d '3 05) g CO d a so u O > 03 5 03 O O P.c?. CD B >> (4 GS > W > O P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. p. rf. P. ct. P. Ct. P. c*. 5114 3 miles W. of Leon- ardtown. Yellow silty loam, to 12 inches. 2.41 Tr. .89 1.33 5.09 11.37 58.26 19.90 5116 1 mile S. of Love- ville. Yellow silty loam, to 12 inches. 2.24 0.00 Tr. 3. 16 17.62 18.76 47.75 9.69 5118 4f miles E. of Leon- ardtown. Yellow silty loam, to 10 inches. 2.97 Tr. 1.38 1.91 3.87 21.90 58.46 10.06 5127 2 miles S W. of New- market Yellow silty loam, to 9 inches. 2.11 Tr. 3. 05 4.19 9.79 16. .54 55.70 8.03 5115 Subsoil of 5114 Yellow loam, 12 to 34 inches. 1.96 Tr. .76 1.19 5.26 13. 92 55.02 21.94 5117 Subsoil of 5116 Yellow loam, 12 to 30 inches. 3.07 0.00 Tr. 3.28 9.08 11.96 49.24 22. 59 5119 Subsoil of 5118 Yellow loam, 10 to 30 inches. 2.44 .67 1.24 1.83 4.63 15.46 53.39 20.37 5128 Subsoil of 5127 Yellow loam, 9 to 30 inches. 1.56 2.22 4.78 8.49 15.97 ln.77 36.42 19.20 SUSQUEHANNA GRAVEL. The layer of gravel which almost uniformly underlies the upland soil types, particularly the Leonardtown loam, reaches the surface along all the more deeply cut stream valleys and along the slopes separating the upland from the low-lying foreland border. The gravel works down across the slopes wherever it reaches the surface, and forms long, narrow bands of a distinctly gravelly soil. While of no great importance either in area or in agricultural value, it forms a marked feature of the land surface. In some instances the component materials are coarse enough to form stony bands and patches along the slopes. In other cases the finer gravel accumulates sufficiently to form small areas of poor or almost useless soil. This is the case on some of the smaller hills of the northeastern part of the county, where broken fragments of iron crust mingle with the gravel and sands. Grapes are cultivated to advantage on similar soils in other regions, and their adaptability to this soil should be tried on a small scale in St. Mary County. In general, it would be better to allow forest growths to occupy the larger, more intractable areas. The proportion of gravel in some of these areas is as high as 50 per cent, and with so coarse a texture it becomes almost impossible to maintain a sufficient supply of moisture to mature any long-growing crop. This is especially the case where the gravel areas lie on steeply sloping surfaces. 132 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE DIVISION OF SOILS, 1900. WINDSOR SAND. The Windsor sand areas are found only in the northern portion of St. Mary County. They are marked by a strong growth of pitch pine and by the gravelly and sandy texture of the soil. At present these areas are imperfectly tilled to tobacco and grain crops, or occupied by small land holdings devoted to producing garden crops for house- hold consumption. Tha soil consists of a coarse to medium sand, containing consider- able gravel. Jt extends to about 10 inches in depth, and is underlaid by an even coarser sandy and gravelly subsoil, frequently containing iron crusts in sheets and in broken fragments. The value and capabilities of this soil have not been recognized as yet in this region. Its coarseness of texture, while precluding the profitable cultivation of grain crops, adapts it especially to the cul- ture of early truck crops and peaches. The latter crop when raised on the Windsor sand produces a superior quality of fruit both in color and taste, and the orchards found on this soil in other localities are long lived, healthy, and profitable. The Windsor sand areas of St. Mary County are all located within easy hauling distance of the present railroad points, and special crops of early fruits, vegetables, and peaches could find an easy and profit- able market in the cities on connecting lines. The surface of the Windsor sand is generally level and is little subject to washing on account of the porosity of the soil. It is easily cultivated and easily improved, and should form a valuable type for the special crops already discussed. The following mechanical analyses show the texture of typical samples of the soil and subsoil: Mechanical analyses of Windsor sand. Ti ic i— 1 a _, a o +s o ■fi s cS a 3 o •a © o +3 H a o rt •s a £ la 1 © o I- 3 o No. Locality. Description. 5 CO ao '3 "3 'a a §?a 0) sa si 3 -18 ia m fine sa 0.05 m la d « > 03 OS O CD 8 a fa > >> P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. p.t-t. P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. 5129 Nowrnarket Coarse sand, to 9 inches. 1.43 5.48 14.29 14.04 38.63 15.16 8.10 2.-6 5130 Subsoil of 5129.... Sand, gravel, and iron crust, 9 to 28 inches. 1.02 10.20 20.92 12. is 29.30 11.58 10.99 3.81 NORFOLK SAND. The Norfolk sand illustrates the fact that a single soil type may arise from materials deposited at different geological periods. In St. Mary County, soil of this type is found along the sloping sides of SOIL SURVEY OF ST. MARY COUNTY, MD. 133 streams as an outcrop of some of the basal formations of the county: again it occurs along the lower courses of these streams as flat-topped terraces built up from the older material by river transportation ; while small areas of it occur along the forelands as material carried still farther seaward. All these deposits present the same sandy nature And form the same general type of soil, but they vary greatly in geological age. Along the shallow stream channels of the forest area of the county narrow borders of this sandy soil are frequent. In the northern part of the county the streams have also cut into the sandy layer, which is the original source of this material. The covering of other materials has been washed away and considerable areas of Norfolk sand are exposed. Wherever found, this soil is recognized as well adapted to the Maryland type of tobacco, and it shares with the Norfolk loam in the reputation of producing a good grade and a reasonable quantity of the crop. The soil consists of a red or brown sandy loam, having a depth of about 9 inches. This is underlaid by an orange or red sand to a depth of 3 feet or more. The natural growth on this soil includes chestnut, oak, and laurel. The Norfolk sand is a typical early truck soil, and has been very successfully farmed in truck crops all along the Atlantic coast. It produces a quick growth and earl}- maturity, and is therefore much better adapted to the trucking business than to the production of grain crops, which require a longer growing season. Peaches, pears, early potatoes, and the common garden vegetables should be raised much more extensively than at present upon this soil whenever transportation facilities permit of marketing. The wild fruits like the blackberry, which flourish so remarkably on this soil, should be replaced by the cultivated varieties of the same fruits. The following table gives the results of mechanical analyses of this soil type : Mechanical analyses of Norfolk si mil. "3 o > oa jjH u S s o V a >> « > 33 5 P. ct. P. ct. P. ct. P. ct. P. ct. P. ct. P.ct. P.ct. 6133 4 miles E. of Le< >n- ardtown. Fine yellow sand. to 14 inches. 1.44 Tv. 2.74 7.38 38.57 21.77 22. 37 4.82 5135 l't miles SW. of Hillville. Medium yellow sand, to 10 inches. 1.36 1.84 s. 74 13.60 34.69 18.76 15.89 4.87 5134 Subsoil of 5133 Medium red sand, 14 to 36 inches. 1.7:3 Tr. 2.31 5.88 34. 91 2i i. 66 22. 52 11.96 5136 Subsoil of 51*5.... Red sand and gravel, 10 to 88 inches. a. oo 4.30 12.65 13. 69 31. 32 10. 10 10.12 15.23 ]34 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE DIVISION OF SOILS, 1900. SASSAFRAS LOAM. This soil type occurs in St. Mary County at an elevation of from 60 to 90 feet above tide in the form of flat -topped terraces. It is gener- ally completely cleared and well cultivated. It forms the best corn producing soils of this and other areas and is well fitted for general farming purposes. It is formed from a mixture of sand and clay derived from much older strata and reworked and redeposited by stream action. The soil consists of a slightly sandy yellow or brown loam, having a depth of from 8 to 12 inches. This is underlaid by a heavier yellow loam to a depth of nearly 3 feet. This subsoil forms a good storage reservoir to maintain a moisture supply during the growing season without retaining enough water to interfere with cultivation or plant growth. Wheat, corn, and the grasses do well on this soil, while a fair tobacco crop can be raised on it; but it approaches more nearly to an easily worked medium grade of soil for general farming pur- poses. Pears and other fruits, together with tomatoes, asparagus, and canning crops should be introduced to give a greater variety in crops with increased opportunities for profits. The use of lime and of green manures and stable manures will benefit this soil, though not so essential as in the case of heavier types. The following table gives the mechanical analyses of Sassafras loam : Mechanical analyses of Sassafras loam. -a lO _ c _ a d -*- 1 d 4^ 3 3 S C8 3 o d d No. Locality. Description. 8 as '3 3 in a 95 -a 3 cs a aS .2 °:a is la a a. CO H 8 o d +3 ia 3 o . ~a '£3 d 03 em > a! 0) IB 4J O O o § E > i/2 o P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. P. ct. P.ct. P.ct. 5137 li mile W. of Sot- terly. Yellow silty loam, to 9 inches. 2.22 1.21 4.51 4.57 14.94 13.26 49.87 9.45 5139 1 mile S. of Great Mills. Yellow silty loam, to 9 inches. 2.43 1.03 3.12 4.53 13.35 13.14 49.68 12.80 »138 Subsoil of 5137 Yellow sandy loam, 9 to 30 inches. 1.87 .84 4.51 5.79 22.62 10. 54 33.84 19.61 5140 Subsoil of 5139. Heavy yellow loam, 9 to 30 inches. 2.17 Tr. 2.45 4.02 13.72 12.613 50.56 14.16 SASSAFRAS SANDY LOAM. Sassafras sandy loam occupies the low-lying forelands along the Patuxent and Potomac rivers and along the shores of the numerous estuaries and creeks tributary to those rivers. In fact, this soil for- mation extends as a discontinuous belt of choice farm land almost entirely encircling the county. Lying between the more elevated uplands and the tide-water courses SOIL SUKVEY OF ST. MARY COUNTY, MD. 135 of the chief rivers of the section, the Sassafras sandy loam slopes gen- tly down from an elevation of abont 35 feet nearly to water level, and presents a very nearly flat, though gently inclined, surface. Areas located on adjacent forelands are usually separated from each other by lower-lying strips of meadow lands located along the margins of the minor streams. To the rear of each area the surface usually rises with quite a steep slope to the more elevated plateau region. The soil itself is probably a stream deposit, laid down at a time when the relative level of tide water in this region was at least 10 feet higher than at present, though the plateau portion of the county existed as diy land even then. The deposition of material derived from the upland by the streams of that daj* took place closely adja- cent to the land area which existed there, and the coarser sands were deposited in those stream courses as noted elsewhere. The finer sand and silt, carried to a greater distance seaward because of the lightness of individual grains, were deposited in the region of tide water, with the coarser materials falling in shallower water near shore, as is the case with the present deposition in all regions. Thus, small sandbars and spits would be formed, and organic matter from the mainland and from the tidal flats usual along low shore lines would be commingled with the sand and silt of the bottoms of the estuaries. In such a manner the sandy loams of this foreland por- tion of the county most probably originated. As the relative eleva- tion of land and sea changed, this new-formed soil became exposed, and encroaching land vegetation further aided in the preparation of the loam for agricultural purposes. The soil is a dark-brown sandy loam, having an average depth of about 14 inches. The subsoil is heavier, in most instances consisting of a yellow or reddish-yellow sandy loam. At 30 inches depth the subsoil is normally succeeded by a reddish sand, though frequently this is wanting and a silty drab layer is found, which extends nearly or quite to tide level. This soil is so well recognized as a desirable farming land that all original tree growth has been removed and the area is occupied by cultivated fields. Corn, wheat, and tobacco are raised on the Sassa- fras sandy loam, and the yield of each is somewhat higher than the average yield for the county. The average wheat crop will consist of about 15 bushels per acre; that of corn about 7 barrels, or 35 bushels; while the tobacco will grow to 1,600 pounds per acre, and will sell at 5 or 6 cents per pound. Of course, much larger crops are raised under favorable conditions, while unfavorable conditions of season or cul- ture will correspondingly cause a decrease in yield. In the Cedar Point area the production of green peas, tomatoes, and of sweet corn for canning purposes has been undertaken. The climatic and soil conditions are favorable to profitable production of these and other crops classed as truck or canning crops. Along the 136 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE DIVISION OF SOILS, 1990. Patuxent River, near Forrest Wharf, the culture of broom corn is being undertaken. The success of this attempt lias not been learned. Owing to the location of this soil along the shore near shipping points, as well as to its texture and general properties, it is well adapted to the raising of fruits, vegetables, and general truck crops which derive value from being placed on an early market. Its posi- tion also makes irrigation possible whenever the necessity for intensi- fied cultivation shall manifest itself in this community. The general character of the Sassafras sandy loam is indicated by the following mechanical analyses. It is noticeable that the subsoil in each case contains quite a large percentage more of clay than does the corresponding soil. Mechanical analyses of Sassafras sandy loam. -c US ,_ A _, p © ©' -u a S a 4^ d 4^ © a © ID 4J I-H ■2 a J! ii 8 o No. Locality. Description. So §a « us aS 03 ga Cfl © 4^ 5 ^a 8a d '8 "® OS a D3 d > ■3 1 9 4J o O S £ > 53 o P.ct. P. ct. P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. P.ct P.cf. 5141 1| miles SE. of Stone Wharf. Brown sandy loam, to 16 inches. 2.55 Tr. 1.56 4.30 34.34 11.86 36.62 8.36 5141 2i miles S. of Leonard town. Brown sandy loam, to 9 inches. 2.22 1.72 10.83 18.96 19.85 6.44 31.94 8.56 5147 1} miles NE. of Trap. Brown sandy loam, to 8 inches. 3.50 :i. 4'.» 12.30 9.40 5.88 10.16 48.62 6.24 5149 I mile NE. of Co- houck Point. Brown sandy loam, to 12 inches. 2.93 4.87 17.49 11.83 11.08 9.82 30. 59 11.55 51 42 Subsoil of 5141.... Heavy brown loam, 1(5 to 34 inches. 1.66 .75 2.67 6.79 45.80 5.87 17.06 19.30 5145 Subsoil of 5144 Red loam, 9 to 30 inches. 2.53 1.58 12.36 18.69 15.99 4.62 30.43 12.80 5148 Subsoil of 5147 ... Yellow loam, 8 to 30 inches. 2.71 .99 7.03 6.15 3.76 11.20 51.80 16.48 5150 Subsoil of 5149.... Yellow sandy loam, 12 to 30 inches. 2.15 2.98 13.72 12. is 9.74 8.78 26.13 24.20 I The natural meadow lands of St. Mary County are usually flat or gently inclined areas occurring along stream courses or on the low flat forelands bordering the tide-water areas. The meadows are usually rather wet, and in many instances they differ from adjoining soil types in their relation to drainage rather than in their texture. The natural forest growth over the meadows includes white oak, willow oak, sweetgum, and poplar, with frequently a matted under- growth of shrubs and vines. The meadows furnish a rather coarse, rank grass for grazing and, owing to the mild climate of the region, cattle frequently find pasturage throughout the winter. The large meadow areas of the forelands are frequently cultivated to the general farm crops, but in wet seasons they are difficult of til- lage, and even in the most favorable seasons they produce only wheat SOIL SURVEY OF ST. MARY COUNTY, MD. 137 and grass to good advantage. They require extensive underdrainage; even open ditches are inadequate, for the soil is so dense and so near water level that surface drainage fails to lower the level of standing water sufficiently to aerate the soil thoroughly. The presence of excessive water in the soil thus tends to keep the ground cold and to delay seed germination and plant growth. Then, too, the organic acids tend to accumulate to excess, proving harmful to plant life and not fulfilling their function in the preparation of mineral matter to serve as plant food. Proper underdrainage by lowering the water level will not only drain off surplus moisture, but will also permit a circulation of air, and thus aid in the natural improvement of the soil. Many thousand acres of meadow land, now producing only a rank growth of grass or an uncertain crop of grain, can be made highly valuable by relatively cheap methods of underdrainage. The soil of the meadow areas usually consists of 8 to 10 inches of gray silty loam underlaid bj r a subsoil of ash-gra3 T clay loam. The soil mass is apt to be cohesive and clay-like when wet, but when sub- jected to the action of the frost and air it becomes powdery and crumbly, and is very much improved in texture. Drainage and lim- ing should be resorted to in order to produce this result on a large scale. The texture of this soil is shown by the following analyses: Mechanical analyses of meadow. ■n 1Q _H ,_ a d -ti o +i d g 2 a 43 US d d ia d +j ^ la r '•5 8 la- 8 o -*- No. Locality. Description. 3o 'a N "3 > 'a 1 a ga ■/. 03 ^a is S3 /. a gg d 83 o C5 o M S > 02 O P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. P. at. P.ct. P.ct. 5151 2 miles SE. of Briscoe Wharf. Gray loam, to 8 inches. 1.84 Tr. 0.88 0.83 3. 7*> T3 si CD CD 35 o3 ct? 3.2- 4-i o a ® ^"a ■w-Q +=-P 03 t* s fe 's'3 « 1 co CO ■ae- CO CD CO CD CO M ^ p. 3 s 0> CD a o o3 0J 03 CD S CD be CD O fl eg 5« fe $ $ 15 3 CS £ n J a F. o F ° F. ° F. "F. »F. = F. °F. ■f. °iT. in. a5 43 + 4 - 4 26 + 4 - 4 17 66 - 1 2.8 February 35 44 + 4 - 9 24 + 3 -10 20 70 3.2 March 45 55 + 5 - 8 34 + 4 - 6 21 83 3.1 April 54 65 + 5 - 3 43 + 2 - 3 22 97 25 3.5 95 37 3.9 73 76 84 86 + 3 + 3 - 5 _ 3 62 66 + 2 + 2 - 4 22 20 100 108 41 49 2.5 July 4.0 7(5 87 + 3 - 4 65 + 2 - 1 22 99 52 2.5 100 40 1.3 56 47 66 56 + 2 + 8 _ o - 4 46 38 + 4 + 6 - 8 20 18 88 78 23 18 3.7 November 2.1 December 38 49 + 1 - 3 29 + 3 - 2 20 70 5 2.0 102 - 1 34.4 The last killing frosts in the spring have occurred at Charlotte Hall on April 21, 1897, and on April C, 1898. The first killing frosts in the fall have occurred at Charlotte Hall on November 13, 1897, with no record in 1898. SOIL SUKVEY OF ST. MAEY COUNTY, MD. 145 Average climatic conditions of St. Mary County — Continued. CHERRYFIELDS. Month. January . February March April May June July January . February March April May June July January . February March April May June July Mean i Mean monthly < monthly and annual temper- ature. and annual precipi- tation. F. Indies. 1.9 3.5 3.3 3.0 4.3 2.7 6.0 Month. August September .. October November .. December . . . Annual Mean monthly and annual temper- ature. o _p_ 56 Mean monthly and annual precipi- tation. Inches. 3.4 2.2 3.8 3.2 2.5 39.9 ST. MARY. 35 37 43 55 62 73 76 ! August September . October November . December . . Annual ST. INIGOES. 38 2.5 43 4.1 44 4.9 ."i.") 4.2 ! 65 4.3 74 2.1 79 3.7 August September .. October November .. December Annual 58 4.8 3.7 3.4 3.4 47.6 11167—01- -10 * LIFE. Jay Allan Bonsteel was born in Huntington, ^Yest Virginia, on April 13, 1873; removed to New York State in 1876; was educated in the common schools of that State; graduated from Ten Broeck Free Acad- emy, Franklinville, New York, in June, 1890,' and in June, 1891, secured a State scholarship in Cornell University. Mr. Bonsteel was graduated from Cornell University in June, 1896, with the degree of Bachelor of Science, securing Special Mention for work in the Geological Depart- ment and holding the position of Assistant in Geology from September, 1895, until June, 1898. During the summer of 1896 he accompanied the Cornell Greenland Expedition to the Upper Nugsuak Peninsula; was married in December of that year. From 1896 to 1898 a portion of his time was devoted to post-graduate work in the Geological Department of Cornell University. In July, 1898, he became connected with the Maryland Geological Survey and in September was matriculated at Johns Hopkins University. Mr. Bonsteel was appointed to a position in the United States Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Soils, on May 1, 1900, and has been employed upon field work for the Department, chiefly within the State of Maryland. U S DEPT. OF A&RICULTU " SOILS MILTON WHITNEY. CHIEF BDJL MAP MARYLAND ST MARY CO SHEET LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 002 683 782