The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-05-13
THE SOIL SURVEY.
MAPS OF SUMTER AND LEE
COUNTIES COMPLETED.
MIR. Frank Bennett Who Made the
Survey Now Engaged in Practical
Experimental Work i'm Sumter, Lee,
Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties.

Mr.. Frank Bennett, of the Unite d
States department Of agriculture, bu-
reau OF soils, states that the soil maps
Of Sumter and Lee counties which he
compiled in early fall of last year.
will be out some time this summer.
These maps do not only show the To-
cation Of the different characters of
soil, but are also very valuable as
county maps, all Of the streams, towns,
railroads. county roads. churches,
school houses, etc being shown. These
will be the first accurate mape that
have ever been made of these coun-
ties.
1t will be remembered that Mr..
Bennett is now following up these
soil surveys with experiments in
Sumter. Lee, Calhoun and Orange
burg counties. He is experimenting
with and studying the adaptation Of
certain fertilizer formulas to the va
rious characters Of soils encountered
In these counties. 1t is generally true
that each soil requires a different
fertilizer. depending on the crops
grown. Every farmer has number
of different kinds of soil, therefore he
should have various mixtures of fer
tilizers suitable to the conditions, and
this can only be determined by ex-
periments. Where a rotation Of
crops Is practiced the fertilizer for
mulas should be changed each year.
as the plant food required will vary,
some plants adding fertility to the
soil while others take it out. y
The method Of applying the ferti-
lizer and the amount to apply with
the greatest profit ia another import
ant problem. Some farmers apply
half their fertilizer before planting
and the other half after the cotton
begins to grow. and think this meth
Cd very profitable. while others can't
see any material difference where it
IL all applied at once. Mr.. Bennett
states that he does not think there
II any doubt but that two applications
will pay on many of the soils that he
10 working with. especially the SAN
dy-leachy soils. The heavier or clay
soils are better able to hold the fer
tiliser and so much differetce between
one and two applications will not be
observed.
Mr.. Bennett shas several farmers in
each county who are cooperating
with him in this work. and they are
very much interested.
He also stated that ne was unable
to meet all OF the demands for co-ope.
ration. Later on he expects to expert
ment with some OF the clovers, vetch-
es. alfalfa and celery. on the various
soils. tEf
Mr.. Bennett was sent here by the
agricultural department with the pur-
pose Of aiding the farmers and he
will be glad to assist OF give all in
formation that is possible to those de-
string II.
The soil maps and agricultural re-
ports of Sumter and Lee counties
will be free and can be secured
through Congressman Lever.
The work that Mr.. Bennett has
already done, Is doing now, and the
rapidly growing work that he has
planned for the future is almost III
valuable to the farmers Of Sumter
and adjacent counties. He is laying
the foundation for scientific farming
along practical lines that experience
has demonstrated to yield the max
imum Of profit at least expense. The
soil survey that he made last year ac-
curately located and the maps show
In detail the various types Of soil
found In Sumter and Lee counties
Reference to the map enables q
farmer to ascertain exactly The char
acter OF soil on his farm and knowing
this he knows what sort of, fertilizer
to apply and when and how to apply
It,
The experimental work now being
conducted by Mr.. Bennett dcmon-
strates the value of scientific methods
when applied to farming, &1l the re-
suits will be clearly AL int.i,'Gcntlv
noted and set out in .or,s ;ha, viii
IL issued by the &c nartalcnt az ae:i-
culture. These reports will be !an,l-
books Of farming for the farmers cr
these counties and will lit tie cul,i-
walton Of the soil above the hit or
miss haphazard affair that it has
hoictofore been and make it approx
imately an exact science.
The work tina. Mr.. Bennett: is do