Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-08-15
Determining Soil Fertility
Valuable Information Given by stookey Assistant Agrono-
mist of Washington State College.
HNANY inquiries are received CON,

MANY inquiries are received con-
hHA cerning the soil needs of differ
ent parts Of Western Washing
ton There seems to be a general
opinion that by an examination of
soil it can readily be told just what
crops are best adapted to the soil, and
just what fertilizers win give the best
results. This opinion is based on the
facts that a mechanical analysis win
give the percentage of the different
sized soil particles, and a chemical
analysis viii give the percentage of the
different elements in the SOIL Both of
these analyses are of some value and
both furnish basis from which some
suggestions can be secured These,
however, are only two of several things
that must be considered.
This station is not in position to
mako either mechanical or chemical
analyses. There are, however, records
which show analyses of most of the
representative soils of western Wash
ington. The. United Statos Department
of Agriculture in connection with the
State Geological department has made
reconnaissance soil surveys of the
greater pert Of western Washington.
Tho soil types have been fairly well
defined, and the moro representative
soils have been analyzed. The state
chemist also has made quite number
of analyses of Western Washington
soils.
Available Records.
These records are available, and if
the exact location of farm is known,
wo can tell quite closely the general
character Of tho soil. If soil samples
are sent to this station we are glad to
mako superficial examination. The
sample will help us to determine the
sell type. The sample should be well
mixed composite of several samples
taken from different parts of the gen
eral type of soil. Only part Of this
composite sample need be sent. If
there are types of widely differing
soils they should not be mixed.
There arc certain conditions besides
the mechanical and chemical analyses
that are quito important when crop
adaptation and soil needs are TO be
considered. In fact, if these conditions
are well understood and their meaning
correctly interpreted, they may reveal
more than chemical and mechanical
analyses. Some of these conditions are
enumerated below:
Necessary Conditions.
1st 1t IS necessary to know the
depth of the surface soil, and the
character Cf the subsoil. In any case a
change in the depth of the surface soil
would probably affect the sort Of crop
best adapted to the soil, ap1 differ
ence in the character Of the subsoil
would materially affect any advice that
might be given.
End. The position of the land, as to
whether it is high or low land, will
eliminate some crops that might other
wise be recommended. Some crops are
better adapted to lower conditions than
others.
Srd. The question of drainage is
sometimes very important. A poorly
drained soil is unfit for the production
of some crops, and warns up SO slowly
that it is impractical to grow some
others.
4th. The previous condition of the
land. By this is meant whether the
land was originally timbered or prairie;
the kind and character Of the natural
vegetation; how long it has been
cropped; what kinds of crops have been
grown; and what kinds, if any, and
with what results fertilizers have been
used. 1t is easy to sec how these may
be of great help when studying any
condition. The character of the natural
vegetation on the soil, or adjoining
soil, may indicate quite clearly that
certain crops would be better adapted
than others. The other conditions, too,
are of considerable value.
4.