The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1902-01-17
WILL STUDY
OUR SOIL
Mr.Dorsey,Expert,
{ Is Coming to
Hawaii.

Jared G. Smith. chief of the Agricul-
tural Experiment Station, has been
notified by A. c. True, director of Ex-
pertinent Stations at Washington. of
the intended visit to Hawaii of Clar-
ence W. Dorsey of the Bureau of Soils.
How soon this visit will be made is
not known. as Mr.. Dorsey will first
conclude his examination of the soils
of Porto Rico. though he may be eX-
pected in Honolulu within few
months.
The contemplated survey OF soils In
Hawaii Is of the greatest Importance to
the people here. Director True wrote
| to Mr.. Smith II few months ago in
curing whether, in his opinion, such a
study was needed here, and in reply
Mr. True was notified that the survey
might be carried on with profit to the
sugar and coffee and general agricul-
tural Industries of the islands.
Such n survey, as it Is the intentio
OF the Bureau of Soils to make in the
Territory, Is exceedingly valuable. 1t
will cover the entire group and soil
map Of each island will be made sep
arately. These will show In colors tho
various sorts Of soils making up the
whole, its depth, and to VIVA. crop 1t il
best adapted. For instance, there are
probably thousands of acres OF sugar
lands in the Territory which are umdc-
veloped. The survey will show exactly
where each section of sugar land Is To-
Gated, where the best coffee land can
be found, and what soils are best :or
the cultivation of small farm products
and fruits.
'areu Sihith stated yesterday that
such soil survey would be of more
value to Hawaii than to the average
State, because the lands here are OF so
many different kinds. broken IN int,
ridges and valleys
The suca, man nou. r,,i,,, oIr,,,,,
o,,I,.,is - 49,, ,,, w., - ~
t,I,a ,,,,a o.i',e ~ s.n' ~" ~.
'',V'i an! '"iiS pu
th' particular lahu Whlch IL Is proposed
TO cultivate Inc physical analysis to
De made by MIR. Dorsey may be classeJ
as midway between a chemical survey
and geological survey. 1t will take in,
moreover. large tracts of land which
have never been opened or whose cu,-
,i,..,iar 49, - -, .,
whi,a I, T., h.ru,, e. ~ ., 49,.
~ ~ 20 navy " VIC 'Npvt'.o 'i"'
-, - e'o"' VIM oe ~"
~. ~ 10 ,ne ,i'ch''oh 10 sur
iul cultivation or any crop whatsoever
might be attempted.
In the field classification of soils all
features are taken into consideration
which appear In any way to influence
the relation OF soils to crops. The class
ihcation Is based mainly upon the physi-
cal properties and condition of the soil
as determined by the soil expert but IT
is not based solely on this, and any
chemical feature, such as deposits of
mail, of highly calcareous soils. or of
highly colored soils. IS considered. as
well as the character of the native veg
citation and the condition of the crops.
The topography of the country Is often
a very safe guide in outlining the boun-
daries of soil conditions, and such soil
maps will be made OF Hawaii. They will
he to scale of one inch TO a mile, local
variations In the soil of less than one
fourth OF n mile In extent are generally
ignored, unless this variation constitutes
a very prominent feature, such az a strip
of meadow land along a stream or unless