Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-11

!
lection of soil samples ever as
| l. sembled-are stored in volumi.
nous cases and compartments
in one of the temporary Department
of Agriculture buildings opposite Cen
ter Market.
These containers of silt, sand. loan.
clay and the hundreds of other kinds
of soil which compose the earth's
agricultural surface rank among the
most curious research materials which
Uncle Sam annually identifies, indexes
and files away for future reference.
Many of the samples originated in
South America, Central America,
Cuba, Europe and Africa. They were
secured by Federal soil hunters who
have made trips to remote parts OF
creation and braved the vicissitudes
of the wilderness and bandit.infested
chimes in order to add new contribu-
tions to Americas soil knowledge.
You will unquestionably be amazed
to learn that Government scientists
have mapped, catalogued and identi.
fed 4,053 distinct and different soil
types in their studies of the farming
lands in this country, which stretch
from the sandy barrens of New Mex
leo to pine-covered hills of northern
Maine. At least 900 of these soils
are important from the viewpoint of
science and food production. Many of
the others by proper management and
essential fertilization can be improved
for agricultural use.
The national Department of Agri-
culture in cooperation with the vari-
Gus States is mapping the soils in all
counties in this country as rapidly
and thoroughly as possible. The dawn
of 1927 finds some 1850 of the 5000
counties in this country mapped ade-
quately and accurately as to soil COM
position and farming opportunities.
The soil maps and published data
which result from this stupendous
task of mapping every square foot of
agricultural land in the United States
are of great value to farmers and
| real estate dealers.
A farmer, stockman, truck gardener
or orchardist who moves to strange
locality can soon learn all the soil
secrets of that neighborhood by refer
| ence to the soil survey data issued by
! the Government. These publications
show the location of the best farming
lands and tell what crops can be
raised most profitably on the different
| types of soil. Real estate operators
who specialize in farm lands use the
information effectively in land sales
manship. Farmers will buy land
much more quickly if they know posi-
| lively what the local soils will do in
the way of profitable crop production.
Each year so Federal soil special
lists from Washington are sent to all
parts of the country to make soil
surveys of the agricultural terrain.
The various States where these ac-
| In,
| many more experts to aid in the work.
The soil-surveying operations are
continued from early in the Spring
until the advent of ice, snow and zero
weather call a halt to the field eX-
ploration until temperance of fav-
orable weather. The surface of the
| farming fields is mapped and as many
soil samples are taken at various
depths as are needed to demonstrate
conclusively what are the soil types
of that particular district.
| The vast collection of soil samples
here in Washington is really used as
reference library Experts readily
ascertain the identifying texture and
! color specifications of various soils by
studying these known samples. Adj
ditional samples which are sent in
| from all of the 4S States are compared
| with the catalogued samples. They
are identified so far as color and tex
ture characteristics are concerned by
these direct comparisons. Soil chem.
lists analyze samples and determine
the chemical composition of unknown
samples of soil. Physical and me-
chanical tests are also made to find
out all there is to know about the
| strange soils.
The National Capital soil scientists
who work far afield during fair wealth
er return to Washington during the
Winter and make up the maps and
write the text which is published by
the Government as soon as possible