Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-10-06
ANALYSIS OF SOILS.
Agricultural College
Experiment station.
FIRST BULLETIN OF THE CHEMIST.

in connection with it State Agricul-
tural Experiment Station, similar to
those in operation in nearly every
State.
These stations exist for the purpose
of conducting scientific investigation
and experiment, and giving the results
and conclusions TO the public; the OBJ
ject being the promotion of the agri-
cultural interests. They are estab-
lished for the benefit of agriculture
and hence, of the community at
large.
The legitimate work OF these stations
is the endeavor to answer all questions
pertaining to agricultural practice
These questions arise from the tillage
OF the soil; the nature and action OF
manures; both natural and artificial
the culture of crops; the care OF do
mestic animals; the dairy industry
plant and animal diseases, etc.
"There are but few things the farm
er has to deal with in the tillage OF
the soil, the saving and use of ma
nures, the cultivation OF his crops, the
care OF his stock, the management OF
his dairy, and the preservation OF his
crops or stock from insect pests and
from diseases that are not being studied
by one or more agricultural expert
ment stations"
Our station is now prepared TO take
up work in some of the lines above
suggested. But we cannot do efec-
tive work without the hearty co-opera.
ton OF those interested in agricultural
pursuits. And so we request all who
read this to give us as much aid and
information as possible upon such
topics as we may from time to time
suggest.
The special object OF this press bull
letin is to invite cooperation with the
chemical department of the station in
making
SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE SOILS OF THE
STATE.
We consider this to be perhaps the
most pressing demand at the present
time, because OF the great variety OF
soils found in different portions OF the
State. 1he station laboratory is we'll
equipped for this kind of work.
We wish to have at least one sample
Of soil from each county in the State
and desire especially samples OF any
soil that exhibits some marked pecu-
liarity. Alkali soils demand possibly
more consideration than others. If it
were possible, we would visit each
county, and select the samples our
selves. But as this is not possible, we
must depend upon others.
1t is exceedingly important that
there should be uniformity in select
ing the samples. To insure this, we
give the following directions for
sampling:
/. The soil selected should be, as
far as possible, in its natural condition,
not modified by recent applications OF
manure. 1t is even better if the soil
from which the sample is taken has
never been under cultivation.
2. All rubbish, sticks, stones and
decaying vegetation should be removed
before taking the sample.
3. The samples should always be
accompanied by all the information
and data obtainable.
4. In taking the sample, dig a yer.
tical hole about Is to 80 inches deep.
Ascertain the point where the subsoil
begins, and from the portion ADORE
this point take 80 or 40 pounds OF
earth. Put this on cloth or paper,
break the Jumps, mix thoroughly, and
put up about quart for a sample.
5. The sample sent for analysis
should be thorough mixture of sew
eral samples taken, as just described,
from different portions of the field, in
order to obtain fair average.
q. Send the samples by mail or
express to the Washington Agricultu-
ral College and School of Science, Pull
man, Wash, addressed to the chemist
Before sending samples for examin-
alton, write to the chemist, giving full
particulars. He will then give more
explicit directions. Unless this is
done we do not guarantee to make
any examinations.
We hope to receive hearty aid and
| cooperation in this work.
We shall also be glad to receive in
formation concerning any OF the natu.
raj products of the State, such as
water, limestone, gypsum, coal, ores,
etc, and will make examinations and
analysis as far as practicable.
All communications will be prompt
ly and courteously answered.
The bulletins OF the station are sent
free to all who request them.
The experiment is to be made OF
towing huge raft of timber from
Oregon to San Francisco. The raft is
something over 600 feet long and con-
tains $500 piles. Similar attempts
have been successful on the Atlantic
coast. Several very valuable RATS
were towed from Joggins, Nova Scotia,
i