The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-01-14
THE DAILY HERALD
Proceedings of
The Convention
CONTINUED from page -
Coffey on Soil Survey.


Mr.. G. NJ. Coffey, who has charge /
of the soil survey which is now being
made of the seven southern counties
of Texas. was called upon early in
the afternoon for some remarks in re-
gard to this work He stated that
there was no part of the United
States in which there was at present
so much interest as in the Gulf Coast
country of Texas; that the Depart
ment of Agriculture was receiving
many requests for information in
regard to the character of soil and
its adaptation to the growth of va
rious kinds of crops; that this great
interest in this section of the coun-
try has caused the Secretary of Ag-
riculture and Prof. Million Whitney,
chief of the Bureau of Soils of the
National Department of Agriculture,
to order a general soil survey of
this part of Texas.
This survey was begun last No
vember and the work being pushed
as rapidly as possible. There are
nine men engaged in this work, these
being divided into four parties of
two men each. The work will prob
ably be completed some time in
! March and the results of the survey
will be published and distributed free
to all those who are interested in the
work
Mr.. Coffey pointed out the great
natural resources that exist in this
part of the state but said that these
alone never made a country great,
they must be developed in order that
a section may become rich and power
full. To develop these resources re
ouired a great deal of perseverance,
patience and energy; and more, this
energy must be directed along the
propr lines. The recognition of this
fact has led to the organization of
National Department of Agriculture
of State Departments of Agriculture,
of tSate experiment stations and va
rious other organizations, the object
of which is to direct the farmer along
what lines he can expend his energy
in order to secure the safest, surest
and most profitable returns.
The important influence which the
: soil environment has upon the kind
and character of the crop that can be
{ grown was emphasized and several
examples were given to illustrate this
point. Since therefore different
soils are adapted to different crops
and different varieties of the same
crop knowledge of its character is
absolutely essential to the study OF
the adaptation of soils to crops. Nc
one can advise the farmers with GER
tainty what kind of crops to grow
what methods of soil management
are best suited to his condition unless
he has definite and accurate infor
nation in regard to the character Of
the soil. In order to furnish the in
formation the soil surveys have beer
organized.
The work so far has shown tha
5 this section possesses a great variet!
= of soil which are adapted to diff
ferent crops. The lighter soils arr
well suited TO the production of trucl
while the heavier clays will produc'
large yields of sugar cane, cotto1
and other similar crops
The work here will prove especial
ly valuable in connection with tn
South Texas Gardens. A detaile'
survey of this farm has been mad
by the Bureau of Soils. Many ex
periments are being made on thi
! farm. When it is determined tina
certain plants do best on the Lared
silly loan. for example, the farme
upon whose place the soil map show
I this type can plant these knowin
: that his soil is similar to that at tn
I Gardens and that he, with prope
! handling. will meet with the sam
{ success.
{ Figs Were Discussed.
4 Prof E. ]. Kyle stated that i