The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1923-02-15
Mississippi Geological
Surrey Making Study W
Soils In Rankin COUNTY
Increasing Demand for More Definite knowledge of
Soils in Every Agricultural State in Country Soil
Survey Under Progress in Rankin County. Sug-
gestiOns Made for Introduction of New Crops

The Bureau Of Soils, a
branch Of the Department
of Agriculture in co-opera-
ton with the Mississippi
Geological Survey is making
a systematic study of the
soils and agricultural con-
ditions of Rankin County.
There is an increasing de-
mand for a more definite
knowledge of soils and soil
resources in every agricul-
tural state in the country.
In order to determine pres
ent farming conditions, a
soil survey is now under
progress in Rankin County.
This soil survey is essentially an
inventory of the soils Of the county.
1T is fundamental investigation of
TENS of agriculture must be based.
1t corresponds to the work of the
geological survey which is investigat-
ing the mineral resources such as
coal, iron, and oil, to find new de-
posits. and determine the extent Of
those already known
1t is equally as important that
each county in the state should make
soil Investigations of this kind so
that this important natural resource
may be utilized to its greatest effici-
ency and conserved to posterity As
agriculture is the only permanent
basis of our national wealth. the ne
cesSity of comprehensive studies in
this field is obvious.
Inspect Every Forty Acres
to Show Variations of Soil.
The soil survey work consists of
field observations. supplemented by
laboratory Investigations, to de-
termine the location, distribution,
and general character of the various.
types of soils. The adoption. utiliza-
ton and deficiencies of each soil are
carefully studied. An attempt is
made to carefully inspect every forty
acres and to show soil variations as
they occur on a map.
With soil auger. the surface and
subsoil of the soil are examined to
depth of three or more feet. III
the soil varies greatly, as it often
does in short distances. many sampl-
ings. or boringS. are necessary. The
basis for identifying and classifying
the soil is cOmpleX
Such factors as color, texture,
depth and fertility of the soil,
character of the subsoil, agricultural
vegetation. native vegetation, drain
age conditions and the general sur
face features. In fact, all factors
that affect the economic handling
and utilization of the soil are given
consideration.
The completed soil map shows as
accurately as possible, all soils and
soil boundaries. In addition to show
ing the various soil types, all roads,
houses, drainage ways and other
cultural features are Indicated
A report accompanying each soil
survey map fully describes the prop
critics of the soil and subSoil their
general character, and the uses to
which the soil is put. The methods
of handling the soil are given and
general statements made of the range
of crop production. general fertility,
systems of farming. and methods of
soil management followed.
SUGGESTIONS are made regarding
the introduction of new crops and in
dustries and regarding the change of
old practice is feasabTe. All such sug-
gestions are based on results of field
and laboratory tests of Experimental
Stations.
Such survey is valuable to the
individual farmer because it classi-
fies the agricultural and nom agricul-
tural land. 1t divides the soils which
are adapted to general farming or
grazing from those which are suited
to various specialized crops, and it
gives an idea of their relative value.
The soil survey also classifies land
for forestry purposes. AS experiment :
stations conduct fertility tests on the
different soils and such results are
included in the reports. the farmers
may utilize these in determining the
natural fertility and needs of his
soil. what crop to raise, and how to
treat and manage the different soils
on his own farm.