Some experiment stations issue summaries of available data on soils within their States. These summaries are issued periodically as data accumulates and are available to those who need it. Monographs summarize the existing data and provide additional data for as nearly complete an understanding of the genesis, morphology, and classification of the subject soils as possible. A technical monograph generally deals with the dominant soils of a comparatively large area, such as a major land resource area. In such areas, the dominant soils are broadly similar in genesis and morphology.
Technical monographs differ somewhat in form and content from one area to another.
Generally, a monograph contains an introduction that gives pertinent geographic information, a small-scale soil map with explanation, general and detailed description of the soils, laboratory data for soil characterization, and a thorough discussion of the classification of the soils. Reports on benchmark soils. A benchmark soil is one that, because of its great extent or its key position in the soil classification system, is important in determining properties and interpretations of the soils in a large area. The information obtained about benchmark soils can be extended to closely related soils. These reports are usually cooperative efforts among State agencies and the Soil Conservation Service.