The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-09
.SOIL SURVEY IF
 COUNTY FINISHED Ready for Distribution In Abou
 One Year WHAT 1T WILL CONTAIN Government Surveyor H. c. Smith Leaves for Dadevile and Will Take Up Survey of Talla-
 poosa County.
1T WILL CONTAIN


 H. c. Smith, who was detailed last July by the United States department of agriculture to make a soil survey of Jefferson county, has completed his work and left yesterday for Dadeville, where he has charge of the survey of Talla- poosa/ county. In order to answer the numerous inquiries in regard to the scope of the work of the bureau of soils MT. Smith gave out the following:
 My work here with the people of Jeff ferson county has been very pleasant in- deed, and l have enjoyed the work to the utmost. As far as 1 am concerned the people hereabouts have sustained their enviable reputation for giving the glad hand to strangers My work could not have been so thoroughly done had it not been for the ready cooperation af- forded me by the various people In the county.
 "The report, to be issued in about one year, will consist of a complete county may using the topographic survey as a base On this map will be found all the works of man, such as houses, bridges, coke ovens, public works, etc., together with streams, mountains and valleys. By a system of contour lines previous surveyors have accurately fixed the elevation above sea level of all DOT tions of the county so that farmer has only to ascertain the location of his farm to know his elevation above sea level. The towns and street with cleo trio and steam roads are given also while churches and school houses are noted by appropriate symbols.
 My work has been to. study and classi- fy the soils according to their origin and agricultural value. The report con tains a. short digest of the early history of the county and pioneer agriculture, with yields of crops and prevailing agri- cultural conditions; then follows a chap ter on climate, where the advantages of the mild weather are discussed together with the relation of climate to crops. A table of statistics showing the aver age rainfall per month, and annually is appended together with statistics SnOW1nR the average AnHudl I6mpeTd- ture and mean for each month.
 "The soils are discussed in separate chapter in which the origin of each type is discussed, what conditions have af fected it and what culture should be given to produce greater yields"
 When asked what was meant by soil type" the surveyor said:
 "A soil type is a portion of the earth's crust capable of growing plants and diff fering in origin, physical and chemical characteristics, crop adaptability and pro- ductivity from all other kinds of soil.
 T have found 13 types of soil in the county and each one differs from all others in the way have just mentioned. These types will be given names and described, their crop productivity and adaptability will be discussed and the treatment outlined should be followed in the use of manures and fertilizers, deep blowing, choice of crops and rotation will be given.
 "The report will give the man in Maine, California or Japan accurate and non partisan information along the line of values of land and farming capabilities. Many farmers have been ruined finan- cially by following the advice of pro- motors and land sharks who advised them to sell and buy where they had land for sale. The bureau of soils is ready to give any one free information along the lines I have mentioned about soils in the United States and many are avail ing themselves of the governments ad- vice in the matter.
 'In about three years, if plans mature, the state of Alabama will be completely surveyed and I confidently expect an in- crease in immigration, together with bet ter agriculture in the next decade
 "One reason why Jefferson is not more of an agricultural county is the fact that so much of the land is held by vast in- dustrial corporations. However, these are already beginning to see that there is more latent wealth on top of the earth than under it and doubtless all will soon have experts in charge of their land de- velopment Already the Tennessee com pany has started such a project by engag ing soil expert from the government to take charge of their soils. I am in- formed that O. l.. Ayres, one of the bureau of soils most experienced sur veyors, has left the government employ to take a similar position under them.
 ''I have no doubt but what in the near future the various coal and ore com panies will do likewise and by conserv- ing their forests and cultivating their land assist in making Jefferson county known for it's agricultural resources as well as for it's great mineral deposits.
 "The distribution of the report will be under the control of Congressman O. w. Underwood, State Commissioner wlllkk- son and the department at Washington. It is free and may be had on making written request"