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sesing the same general character and excellence which dis-
tinguish them in other sections already described. The cen-
tral parts of, the county are made of a light, sandy clay loam,
known here as "Forest Lands," admirably adapted to the
growth of cereals, tobacco, fruit and vegetables. Their tex-
ture is of the best class, and they all can be very easily and

cheaply developed to the highest degree of perfection. To-
wards the lower part of the county the white oak soils stretch
across it, and are here found of most excellent quality. Fruit
of all kinds and vegetables of every description flourish in
this county to a very high degree of perfection. Soil and
climate alike favor their early ripening and most extensive
development. The markets of the northern cities can be fur-
nished with these from this county from a fortnight to a month,
earlier than, from the gardens and market farms around them,
and of a flavor and quality unattainable by the growth of the
States north of us. The resources for improvement are
oyster shells, lime; Indian shell banks, shell and green sand
marls of good quality, and abundance of seaweed on the wa-
ter lines. These, with, the refuse of the fisheries on the
shores, furnish cheap and certain means of quick and perma-
nent improvement. The scenery on the river, bay and Poto-
mac is of the most beautiful description, and nature has been
so lavish in her gifts that nothing is left for art but to fill up
her magnificent outlines.

The transportation of this county is of the best and cheapest
kind, (inland tide-water navigation) to Baltimore, Washing-
ton, Georgetown and Alexandria. First class steamers to
each of these places ply from the various landings on the
rivers and bay, almost daily, whilst at more numerous points
daily vessels are ready to meet all demands of import and ex-
port in the cheapest manner. The Chesapeake and Dela-
ware canal opens a fine market for all the early vegetables

and fruit products at Philadelphia, New York and the North-
ern cities. Besides the Patuxent river and the Chesapeake
bay, which are its eastern boundaries, there are several arms
or bays from the Potomac river, its southern and western
boundary, which enters in bold, deep sheets, several miles,

(eight to sixteen) into the interior of the country, these
are the Wicomico river, St. Clement's bay, Breton's
bay, on which is Leonardtown, the county town, and St.
Mary's river, all beautiful land-locked sheets of water, with
sufficient depth to float the largest vessels and abounding in
al treasures of the Chesapeake.

The fisheries on the river and bay are very extensive, and
furnish large quantities of shad and herring, besides all of
the best varieties of table fish, caught with seine, hook and
line or weir—abound here in due season, which with the