The Washington times., 1938-01-20
DR.. c. ". FIELD.
EXPERT IN SOIL.
WORK, is DEAD.
Noted Scientist Pioneer
In Fight on Erosion

DR.. George Wilton Field, IA,
pioneer in soil erosion work and
an international authority on the
biological uses of water, died last
night in the Washington Sani-
tarium where he had been a pa
tient for the past eight years.
DR.. Field established the Sharon
Experimental Biological Farm,
which is internationally known.
Most of the principles employed
by the Government in water con-
servation and flood control were
developed there.
PIONEER IN WORK
Going to Sharon. Mass, site OF
the farm, about SO years ago, Dr..
Field pioneered in the study OF
replenishing impoverished earth.
Many results of his studies are
used today in this country's war
on droughts and dust storm. The
Government publication, Little
Waters, Study of Headwater
Streams and Their Use and Rela-
ton to the Land" which repre-
sents a study Of the national re-
sources bases on facts of 40 scien'
fists in all branches of learning,
contains much data contributed
by the noted scientist when he was
collaboration for the United States
Biological Survey.
In 1901, DR.. Field became biolo-
gist of the Rhode Island State Col
lege Experimental Station at King
ston, and later joined the staff
of the Massachusetts Institute OF
Technology, at Boston.
He was one of the first to OBJ
serve hormones and their stimu-
lating effect on animal life; was
q staunch advocate of the estab-
lishment of ponds throughout the
country for a study of natures
cycle of matter. and developed a
method of plowing under clover
to check soil elements. A method
of checking soil erosion by filling
trenches with loose rock, a method
now used in many Western areas
of the United States, was also de-
veloped by DR.. Field.
Funeral services will be held to-
morrow at 2:30 p. m. at Brockton,
Mass. Burial will be in that city.
WORKED IN BRAZIL
DR.. Field did much experimental
work in Brazil and while there
in 1919, established the Brazilian
fisheries. He also planned the
Boston water supply and did i'm
portant work in relation to the
Charles River basin.
AS a result of his 40 years work
in Europe, where he was frequently
consulted on water problems, many
European governments today re-
fuse owners permission to drain
water from their property until it
performs its biological service in
relation to the land itself.
In tribute to his priceless discov-
cries and developments, lake at
Andover, Mass, was named Field
Lake in his honor.
Native of Bridgewater, Mass, DR..
Field was a graduate of Johns Hop
kins University, the University Of
Munich, Germany, and the Uni
Versity of Naples, Italy.
D. C. PHILATELIST
He was a member of Phi Beta
Kappa, the Cosmost Club, Wash,
ington Philatelist Society and a
former chairman of the Massachu.
sets Fish and Game Commission
He was also a member of the Mt
Pleasant Congregational Church.
Surviving are his widow. Mrs
Mary Belle Field; three daughters
Mrs. Ernest Sphinx, 220 Chestnut
Ave-, Takoma Park, Md, with
whom he made his home prior tc
going to the Washington SAM
tarium; Mrs. Bernice Balfour, o1
Sharon, Mass, and Mrs. Richard
Morse, of Foxboro, Mass, and two
sons, John Bacon Field, of Suburn
N. Y, and Daniel B. Field, Of
ROXbury. Mass.