“I can see how that might maintain the fertility of those farms,” said Percy.  “It seems that the general condition of this kind of land is about the same in Prince George County.  On page 45 of the 1901 Report of the Field Operations of the Bureau of Soils, I have noted the following statement: 

“’The Leonardtown loam, covering 45,770 acres of the area, is the nearest approach among the Maryland Coastal Plain Soils to the heavy clays of the limestone regions of Western Maryland and Pennsylvania.  The surface is generally level and the drainage fair.  The soil is not adapted to tobacco, and has consequently been allowed to grow up to scrub forest, so that large portions of it are at present uncleared.  Such unimproved lands can be bought for $1.50 to $5.00 an acre, even within a few miles of the District line.  The soil has been badly neglected, and when cultivated the methods have not been such as to promote fertility.  When properly handled, as it is in a few places, good yields of wheat, corn and grass are obtained.’”

“That’s right,” said the Chief, “exactly right.  Upon the whole it is one of the most promising soils of the locality, although it is not considered so by the resident farmers.”

“You mean that it should be handled the same as is done by the successful farmers of St. Mary County?” inquired Percy.

“Yes, it needs thorough cultivation and the rotation of crops; and the physical condition of the soil needs to be improved by the addition of lime and manure, or green crops turned under.”

“I have been looking over some of the other Reports of Field Operations,” said Percy.”  I became interested in the description of a Virginia soil called Porters black loam.  I find the following statements on page 210 of the Report for 1902: 

“’The Porters black loam occurs in all the soil survey sheets, extending along the top of the main portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains in one continuous area.  This type consists of the broad rolling tops and the upper slopes of the main range of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Locally the Porters black loam is called “black land” and “pippin” land, the latter term being applied because, of all the soils of the area, it is pre-eminently adapted to the Newtown and Albermarle Pippin.  This black land has long been recognized as the most fertile of the mountain soils.  It can be worked year after year without apparent impairment of its fertility.  Wheat winter kills, the loose soils heaving badly under influence of frost.  The areas lie at too high elevations for corn.  Oats do well, making large yields.  Irish potatoes, even under ordinary culture, will yield from two hundred to three hundred bushels per acre.  It seeds in blue grass naturally, which affords excellent pasturage.  Clover and other grasses will also grow luxuriantly upon it.  The areas occupied by this soil are mostly cleared.’”

“Yes, Sir,” said the Chief, “the Potters black loam is a fine soil—­loose and porous as stated in the Report.  You see it has a good physical condition.”