The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-08-02
PRACTICAL TALK
ON SOILS
Nh. FRANK o. GARDNER. GOVERN
MENT EPERT GIVES VALU-
AsL EINFoRMATIoN.

II
gett introduced Mr.. Frank L
Gardner, of the Bureau OF Soils, VIII
spoke on soil utilization and manage
ment, stated that agriculture is
basic industry; that it is the oldes
and most important industry of tbs
world and one on which all other in
dustries depend. II is the anchor o
National welfare. When agricultur,
fourishes the Nation is prosperous
When agriculture declines the Nation
is unthrifty. Let us as Americans see
TO it that our agriculture is not per
mitted to anguish, but let US all put
forth our best efforts to upbuiId it by
the adoption of up-to-date methods
and the application of science.
The complete training of the mind
and body is the sacred right of every
youth. 1t is the duty of every citizen
as well as every parent to see that
our youths are properly trained, and
a training for the great agricultural
industry should by no means be neg
leeted.
Just as agriculture is the base of
other industries, so is the soil the
base or foundation on which the agri-
cultural industry is based. 1t is
great National asset, and as such
should be treated in a manner COM
mensurate with its Importance. To
the man who has no particular inter
est in agriculture the soil is little
more than dirt and as such receives
but a passing thought. To the farm
er, however, it is more than that. He
recognizes it as mechanical sup
port for the plants that he grows,
holding them in an upright position
in the soil. He also realizes that 1t
serves as a great sponge, absorbing
and holding the rain as it falls from |
The clouds and conserving 1t for the
use of the crops that are to be grown.
Likewise he knows that the soils con-
ain stores of mineral constituents
hat are necessary to plant life and
growth, and that these minerals are
llso necessary to animal life and
,rowth. To some of you who have
,iven special attention to the soil.
nd especially to the man who makes
life study of soils, it is much more
nd contains more than those things
ust mentioned.
The soil is a great storehouse in
hitch is stored an almost inexhaasti-
lie supply of all the minerals neces- /
airy to plant life. Fortunately these
linerals are but slightly soluble in /
ater, and the soil moisture is at
II times practically saturated with
lem. 1t is well that these minerals t
re but slightly soluble. If they were S
eadily soluble they would go into G
)lution to such an extent that vast
mounts of them would be leacehd a
ON the soil and carried away in the n
.ainage water and ultimately reach a
e ocean. n
The soil is also laboratory In a
hich chemical and physical changes
e taking place. As the water con- S
mt of the soil increases or dimin- Il
hes the amount of minerals in solu- n
IN likewise increase and diminish. o.
the soil moisture contains greater iC
lesser amounts of organic acids, a.
e amounts of minerals in solution b
ctuate and with every change In te
nperature the equilibrium OF the in
il is disturbed and the ratio or rela- p;
e is disturbed and the ratio or rela- CT
nts in. solution is changed
Then, too, the soil is workshop, III pt
Itch millions and millions of micro it
yanisms are busily engaged, part OF m
I'm in preparing these crude MIN sd
lis for the use of the higher plants, ye
II as in our kitchen the raw veg hs
bles are being prepared or cooked di
order that they may be suited TO OF
needs of man. AS the eff1ciency an
the workers in cotton mill de- ar
Ids largely on an abundance OF or
olesome, nourishing food and good in
litary surroundings, so does the ST
cheney of these Heterogeneous BIZ
,end on the proper ventilation OF or
soil and an ample supply or organ CIR
matter for their nourishment. of
do not intend, said Mr.. Gardner, to ro
ell upon these points, which are a
re or less technical, but wish mere CHI
10 mention them, to open the door, lal
1t were, and give you a glance at to
Sc factors in order that you may Ev
lie how complex are the problems lea
he soil. ito
he Bureau of Soils, of which Mr.. tn!
dner is representative, has been VIII
dying the soils and mapping the SUI
$ of the United States for eight