The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1917-06-22


prepared by the United States Depart
ment OF Agriculture)
The existence of vast areas OF so
called WORKOUT hill lands throughout
the United States may be attributed
chiefly to soil erosion, due to the
natural agencies of wind, frost and
rain. In most localities wind and
frost, owing to their comparatively
slow processes, play but minor part
In the depletion Of the soil and the ulti-
mate destruction of good farm lands.
1t Is the failure of the soil to absorb
the rain water which falls upon 1t that
presents by far the most serious as
pect Of the problem. AS an indication
of the damage done by erosion, 1t is
estimated that the Potomac river each
year carries off in solution about 400
pounds of solid matter per acre Of
! land drained, containing plant food
sufficient to produce crop. Unless
such loss be replaced. annually by
natural agencies or the application of
fertilizer, it is obvious that the land
soon will deteriorate greatly In pro-
uuCtlNeueSS duu cNcutuuhy NC ubuA-
doned.
In addition to the loss through ero-
sion Of the soluble elements of the
soil, noticeable impairment occurs
in the physical condition OF the soil.
When the moving water washes the
soil particles from the surface of the
hillside and deposits them on the land
| -{or nc the
sandy constituents of the soil, are de-
posted first, and the finer, or clay,
parts last. Since neither pure sand
nor pure clay possesses the produc-
tive characteristics observed In soil
composed of the proper intermixture
of sand and clay particles, it Is appar-
ent that the effect OF this sorting pro-
cess is to diminish greatly the fertility
or productive power of the soil. Hence,
not only the eroded land suffers but
also the land at a lower level upon
which the eroded material is deposited.
Forms of Erosion.
Erosion due to moving water occurs
In two forms-sheet washing and Gull
lying. Small areas are practically
ruined by outlying, while sheet wash
ing diminishes the productive power
of large areas.
Outlying generally Is the most
dreaded of the two types on account
of its more apparent destructive eff
fects. Where the ravages Of erosion
proceed unchecked, deep gullies in
variably develop In the field. Thee
appearance causes not only absolute
loss of land and inconvenience in cul
tivating, but q marked lowering In The
water table, with a possible accom-
,, panying inability of the soil to retair
the proper moisture content for th'
production Of crops and to withstand
periods Of drought.
The injury due to sheet washing
which occurs throughout the Unite'
States generally is underestimate
and is regarded by many farmers a
OF no particular consequence. 1t i
this type OF erosion that slowly car
,, ries away the very fertility of the sol
without apprising the farmer--excep
through slightly diminished crop yield
each year-that the application o
remedial measures is imperative /
order to save his farm.
Methods Of Preventing Erosion.
. Erosion Is due chiefly to the fire
movement of water over the surfac
OF the land, which carries off particle
Of soil. If all rain water were al
: sorbed by the ground upon which
= falls, soil erosion would be reduced
), a minimum. 1t Is obvious, therefore
that In order to prevent or reduc
erosive action the soil must receiv
treatment that is conducive to the M
mission and the storage Of large qunr
titles Of rain water; and methods mus
be employed to reduce the velocit,
and thereby the transporting powe
of the run-off water.
l Since the storage capacity of O so
IS depends upon its porosity, any trea
ment which results In an increase
l. porosity of the soil will reduce erosio
II materially. This porous condtio
usually is obtained directly by dee
blowing and by thorough incorpor
ton of organic matter in the so
r Methods of subsurface drainage whie
I, lower the ground water level impro'
the porous structure of the soil and i
et crease it's ability to absorb surfa'
water. The treatment of cover, sue