Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-05-19
VALUABLE WORK OF SOILS Blu.
REAU.

REAU.
A work the value of which can
hardly be overestimated is being car
department OF agriculture. Consider
ing the enlargement and practical
concentration of the work in eight
years, together with the results accru
ing, it presents to the farmer a bright
vision for the future of his occupa-
ton.
Believing that a classification of
soils with reference to texture and
structure, photographic position and
crop values could be made. the bu-
reau is making a series of surveys
and analyses of the soil in the various
parts of the country. and outlining
/ the results in colored maps, such as
will enable farmers or prospective
buyers of land to determine at a
glance the quality and farming value
| of any tract of land, This work is
now being carried on by 90 field or
soil parties working in as many states
or territories. A soil party consists
generally of two men, who are equip
ped with a compass. an odometer for
measuring distances, sometimes with
a plane table to make or correct a
base map, and with soil augur to
take samples usually to depth of 8
feet in humid regions and six feet in
arid regions, but by means of extern
sions capable of taking borings to a
depth of IS feet
Separate samples of the soil and of
the subsoil are sent in to the bureaus
laboratories from a number of borIngs
in each of the soils, the number de-
pending upon the extent and import
ance of the area OF the agricultural
problems presented therein. These
samples are examined in the labora-
tories, a mechanical analysis is made
ing the soil, and such chemical work
is done as experience may indicate
will be of probable value in explain.
ing the conditions encountered in the
area. During the months that the
parties are in the field they are care
Of the crops. They are instructed to
obtain all possible information from
the farmers as to the methods of cul-
| tivation, the relation of the soils to
drouth and to drainage. and in gen
eral to acquire the fullest knowledge
of the farming conditions in the area.
An idea of the growth of the soil
survey work may be gained by com
| pairing the figures for the year 1900
with those for the year 1903. 1T the
close of the fiscal year ending June
80, 1900. tie bureau had mapped 3,4St
square miles, or 2, 231 ,040 acres. A
the close of the calendar year ended
December 81, 1908 "a period of 81
years., it had mapped 60.412 Square
miles, or 3S,663,6S0 acres. In thai
part of the Connecticut valley which
lies in Massachusetts 517760 acres
have been surveyed and analysed.
At this rate the bureau will soon be
enabled to accurately state what soils
are best adapted to the production OF
different kinds of cotton, tobacco
corn wheat, and other staple products
In many localities crops are being
grown on soils which are not adapted
to them. Thus, in many states, at.
tempts are being made to grow wheat
on soils so sandy that only a very low
yield can be obtained. In other Sec
tons of the country attempts are be-
ing made to grow early truck on cold,
wet clay.
AS instances of the increased value
of lands through this work the truck
ing soils of the Atlantic seaboard
have increased of late years from a
nominal value of S. to 5000 or more
an acre. The rice lands of Louisiana
have increased in value from S. to $50
an acre. The Florida soils, adapted
to the growing of pineapples. have
risen in value from practically moth
! ing to over $500 an acre. Special at