Evening journal., 1912-11-07
rAnMrns Am snns

THERE is much Of interest to Delaware farmers in
bulletin just Issued by the Bureau of Soils of the
Department Of Agriculture relative the soils of this
country The bulletin says that industry is vital
to the well-being OF nation agriculture, and
nothing is so vital to agriculture the soil From
its treasury has estimated that drew during
the year 1909 than $S296000000 and its possi-
bflities are as yet only partially realized There
stil>in this country millions Of which have never
felt the pillow, while those which under cul-
vaton can by the application OF scientific principles.
be made to produce many times the present value of
their products. How to and not abuse this great
resource is the most important problem which faces
the farmer of to-day-one worthy of the best efforts
of our most profound and scientiss for upon
solution depends the future prosperity of the nation
While comparatively small percentage of the soils
the United States have been surveyed and analysed
by the Department than 500 types of soils have
discovered during the progress OF the soil survey
The existence Of such large variety Of soil types, each
possessed definite and peculiar characteristics calls
attention the importance OF careful study of the
soils and their relation 10 agriculture The bulletin
says that the old idea of soil investigation to col
lect samples examine them in the laboratory and see
what difference could there be determined The newer
idea to study the characteristics and properties Of
soils i'm the field classify them according TO obvious
differences and with this Information in hand the
laboratory a Of ascerainng the cause of such
variations as can be determined in the field This
method of attacking soil problems is the reverse of the
usual practice but because the great difficulty in
duplicating field conditions, It is believed that field
examination should precede laboratory studies The
field observations thus be used as check upon
laboratory investigation and aid in this inter
probation Field studies furnish safe and necessary
anchor with which keep the laboratory expermener
from being dashed against the rock Of pure specula
ton The classifying and mapping of the various sol
types together with the study of the conditions and
processes under which they have been formed. will fur
nsh essential and Invaluable data for the conduct
! laho
in the field. study of her methods not fail e
offer many valuable suggestions and in some cases,
the only means Of solving her problems Il is through
a combination of field and laboratory investigation
that Misunderstanding Of this extremely complex body
the soil can be reached The bulletin treats exhaus
lively Soils their origin formation and best reatmen
for agricultural purposes. and the great dinerenc
between the many types. 1t adds that since the so
varies so as regards both its inorganic and OF
ganc constituents. marked differences In characte
must necessarily result from the almost indefnit
number Of combinations which may be found. All thes
differences however, may be traced two sets of "a,
tors FIRST the character OF the rock material rol
which soil has been derived, and, second the pre-
cesses or agencies by Of which this material ne
been changed from rock rock debris into
medium suitable for the 81 IN of plants. The form,
has do with soil-forming materials the latter wit
soil-formng agencies To these two grocps o. facto
TO be attributed the numerous variations in so
L conditions found over various parts of the earth
: The importance Of distinguishing between these tW
groups of factors be strongly emphasize
The tendency the past has been the form
to the neglect Of the latter and 4 is has resulted
classifying together soils Of very dssimar characte
simply hecau-s they derived from the rocl
k from rocks which have been formed in the san
a manner
o Our Delaware farmers, class have paid entire
little scientific attention TO the soils past year
No doubt they could increase the yield OF their Ian
= greatly they TO begin 70 recognize the ia
n that comprehensive study OF the soil is OF paramou
{ importance them in many ways.