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of combination may differ in which these substances are united
to each other.

There is, therefore, almost every shade of difference in sails
as to their texture; but goodness or badness will depend either
on the proportions of the four sabstances named above, in
certain limits, or the presence in certain quantities of other
substances, the directly nourishing substances. A necessary
knowledge of each of these can certainly be known by proper
analytical examination and the goodness or badness of soils
accurately determined.

These things being understood, I now proceed to give a short
but accurate description of the principal soils composing the
tide water section of the State, which are found in every part
of it, unless the contrary be stated. In speaking of the soil
by name in the several counties, the reader may refer to the
general description here given.

First then we mention what is general known by the
name of

WHITE OAK SOILS.

By this name is known a class of soils which form a large
part of the tide water section on each side of its divisions.

"This class may readily be distinguished from all others by
its white color, firm, compact texture, its level surface, its
great retentiveness of moisture, by its softness and plasticity
when wet, and by its firm and unyielding nature when dry.
It is almost always in its original state, covered with white
oak timber, from which it derives its name. Sometimes,
however, pine grows abundantly on it, mixed with the white
oak. The water which runs off from its surface is of a dirty
white color, and even when it collects in pools, takes a long
time to become clear; in other words, a long time must elapse
before all the earthy matter from its extreme fineness, sub-
sides to the bottom. The sub-soil is most usually a true white
clay, (silicate of alumina and protoxide of iron,) unless on the
points of land running into the rivers and ocean where red
clay predominates. Occasionally, we find the sub-soil of a
"mottled, marbled" character, being a mixture of the red and
white clay in various proportions. The sand in these soils is
always in a finely comminuted state, feeling but slightly
gritty under the fingers, and receiving minute impressions
when placed in contact with any uneven surface. It is from
the extreme firmness of the sand, that this soil derives its
compact texture and its power of retaining moisture. It is
this which makes up for what would otherwise be a deficiency
in the clay and iron."

The above was written more than fifteen years ago, in my
first report to the House of Delegates of Maryland, since that
time large tracts of this land in every section where they are