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Soils.—The soils of this county are mostly of saandy loam,
particularly in the north-western section. In various parts
are also found the finest quality of " white oak" soils, in
close connection with the Black Gum Swamp soils, each high-
ly by admixture improving the other, and in some sections
small quantities of red or yellow clay soils similar to those ,
found in other parts of the shore and elsewhere described.

The face of the country, in its lower part, is generally
level and flat, in its western portion slightly rolling, and be-
tween the Pocomoke River, which running south through it,
divides it into two nearly equal parts, and Sinepuxet Bay, a
ridge of hills run nearly parallel to the ocean, dividing the
waters that flow into the Bay from those that flow into the
Pocomoke, in many places civmmanding a fine prospect of the
ocean, and though eight or ten miles distant, within hearing
of the sound of its surf.

The means for the improvement of the soil are oyster shell
lime in the greatest abundance, and in some sections vast de-
posits of Indian shell banks.

The climate is very mild, being tempered greatly by the
influence of the ocean and other waters contiguous to it, and
from the corresponding favorable conditions of the soil it is
specially adapted to the production of early fruits and vege-
tables, which command the highest price in the markets of
the north.

The staple crops on improved land flourish here, and
from the extreme mildness of the climate, with the existence
of early and late pasturage, the raising of live stock may be
made a very profitable branch of husbandry,—nothing con-
firms this more than the fact that on the Islands on its sea
shore, large droves of horses of a peculiar breed, called
" Beach Ponies" are reared without ever being stabled or fed,
they live in a wild state until fit for use, when they are
driven into pens, caught, marked and compelled to serve in-
dustrial purposes. These horses are handsome and well-
formed, have great sagacity,—almost as much as a New
Foundland dog—become very docile, aie well gaited and have
great powers of endurance. They subsist entirely on the
herbage of the Islands till taken up for use.

A large part of this county is still in its virgin forests, and
wild deer are still hunted in them; these forests are princi-
pally of pine, and furnish large quantities of the finest
lumber, which is one of the staple productions of tie county,
besides which, on the low grounds great quantities of cypress
timber exists, also a valuable article of export.

When the present high, and constantly-increasing prices of
lumber is remembered, and taken in consideration with the
fact that its sources, or accessible sources of supply are rapidly
diminishing, due estimation will be given to the value of tim-