"SHOW this gentleman to the Bureau of Soils," said the Secretary to
the boy who came as he pushed a button.

"All the world loves an optimist," said Percy to himself as he
followed the boy to another office where he met the Chief of the
Bureau of Soils, who kindly furnished him with copies of the soil
maps of several counties, including two in Maryland, Prince George,
which adjoins the District of Columbia, and St. Mary county, which
almost adjoins Prince George on the South.

These maps were accompanied by extensive reports describing in some
detail the agricultural history of the counties and the general
observations that had been made by the soil surveyors.

"I desire to learn as much as I can regarding the most common upland
soils," Percy explained. "Not the rough or broken land, but the
level or undulating lands which are best suited for cultivation. I
am sure these maps and reports will be a very great help to me."

"I think you will find just what you are looking for," said the
Chief. "You can spread the maps out on the table there and let me
know if I can be of any assistance. You see the legend on the margin
gives you the name of every soil type, and the soils are fully
described in the reports. One of the most common uplands soils in
southern Prince George county is the Leonardtown loam, and this type
is also the most extensive soil type in St. Mary county.