Number three is a tobacco land of southern Maryland. The finest tobacco
lands of this locality come between the truck and wheat lands in
texture, and contain from ten to twenty per cent of clay. The lighter
the texture of the soil and the less clay it contains, the less tobacco
it will yield per acre, but the finer the texture of the leaf. The
tobacco yields more per acre on the heavier wheat soils, but the leaf is
coarse and sappy and cures green and does not take on color. It brings a
very low price in the market and does not pay for cultivation. The crop
on the lighter lands is of much finer quality; there is a smaller yield
per acre but the leaf takes on a fine color in curing, and brings a much
better price per pound. Wheat is commonly raised on these tobacco lands
to get advantage of the high manuring, and because the rotation is
better for the land than where tobacco is grown continuously on the same
soil. The finest tobacco lands are, however, too light in texture for
the profitable production of wheat. These lands belong to the neocene
formation.
Number four is a type of the wheat lands of southern Maryland. These
lands represent soil of about the lightest texture upon which wheat can
be economically produced under the climatic conditions which there
prevail. They contain from eighteen to twenty-five per cent of clay, and
are much more retentive of moisture than the best tobacco lands. This
type is about the limit of profitable wheat production. These soils will
maintain about twelve per cent of water during the dry season. Garden
truck is so late in maturing on these lands that there is often a glut
in the market when the crop matures, and the crops often do not pay the
cost of transportation. The lands are too light in texture for a
permanent grass sod. They belong to the neocene formation.
Number five represents the heavier wheat lands of southern Maryland,
belonging probably to a different horizon of the neocene formation and
containing about thirty per cent of clay. This soil is much more
retentive of moisture and produces very much larger crops of wheat than
the last sample. It is strong enough and sufficiently retentive of
moisture to make good grass lands. It is too close in texture and too
retentive of moisture for the production of a high grade of tobacco, or
to be profitable for market truck.
Number six is from a heavy limestone soil of lower Helderberg formation.
It is a strong and fertile wheat and grass land.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account