Soils are also rated for their potential to produce trees, support livestock and provide habitat for wildlife. In addition, soils are rated for their suitability for recreation, such as camping areas, picnic areas, playgrounds, paths and trails for hiking and horseback riding, and golf fairways. The survey interprets the suitability of soils for the construction of dwellings and small commercial buildings, local roads and streets, septic tank absorption fields, sewage lagoons, landfills, ponds, and dikes and levees. Soil surveys authorized in the USDA Appropriations Act. First official surveys in Utah, Maryland, New Mexico, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Surveys emphasize soil erosion on farms.
First USDA soil classification system published. Using aerial photography as the base for maps becomes universal. Soil Taxonomy published, recognizing the 10 soil orders. Soil Taxonomy revised, recognizing 12 soil orders. Public libraries and conservation district offices generally have reference copies available.