42

class of soils is most generally found in bottom lands, and,
when at all moist, should be drained.

The best application for them, fs unslacked magnesian
lime, for even when a fair proportion of lime is found on
analysis, yet lime will act on them as the substances neces-
sary for plants are held by the vegetable matter, which can-
not be yielded until it is decomposed; quick lime effects this
very readily, and should be applied for every rotation as long
as a large quantity of vegetable matter can be recognized.
From twenty to forty bushels applied every year, will insure,
for a number of years, very large crops of corn, and, when
the texture of the soil will allow, large crops of wheat will
lee produced. These soils are generally quite fertile, bearing
from four to eight barrels of corn every year for a great
number of years.

When quick lime cannot be procured, water-slacked lime
should be used. Air-slacked lime will benefit them but very
slightly, and common earth of any kind, by rendering them
more compact, will also act benificially on these soils.

They can be bought at from five to thirty dollars per acre.

LIGHT SANDY SOILS.

These soils are characterized by their coarse, gritty tex-
ture, their porosity, and their white color. Sometimes the
sand in them is brownish from the presence of iron. Their
greatest defect is mechanical. They are deficient in clay and
iron, and their sand is too coarse to retain much from the
atmosphere. These soils though generally poor, yet are easily
improved by the addition of proper manures, and are amongst
the very best for the production of early vegetables, and
fruits. They sell very cheaply, and to persons of small
means, present most desirable opportunities for investment,
requiring as they do but slight force for their cultivation.

SOUTH AND WEST RIVER AND FOREST OF PRINCE GEORGE'S

COUNTY SOILS.

I regret that there has been no name in use, by which
the soils lying adjacent to the places named, and also exist-
ing in some other parts of the Tide-water District, could be
heretofore distinguished. But such is the fact, and I have
therefore to designate them by the localities where they
are principally found.

I now propose for them the name of " Green Sand
Soils." There being a fitnesss in this name for them, de-
pendent on their Geological position as well as by their deri-
vation from the same rocks as those from which the Green
Sand or Jersey Marl was produced. A description of the