The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1954-08-05

The following editorial written by Wilbur Matson
OF the Morgan County Herald relative the control
program which the Noble Soil Conservation district has
become vay interested in Since Noble county,
even though the adverse comments cauStc the
complete editorial is as follows:
"The Caldwell Journal of July 9th prints report from
frank Calvin and Roger King of the u S. Soil Conservation
office in Noble county which primarily with
the Tremendous erosion losses in their district 1t
Agr@aure is still the basic rudnent of livelihood
Nonasouny and if we hope to pass this land to the
against waste against having and tons of good
Noble county top soil wash down the hills into the Muskn
gum river"
The article then expresses apprehension abandon
ment or neglect of strip cropping practice In 194 the 100
year "he cost of this neglect evident
you any number of fields and
man could hide in and that cannot safely be crossed with
tractor is the consusion Zone good rain wash away
two inches OF top soil from one acre OF hillside field such
as we have IN Noble county which equals 300 tons of top
SOIL says this warning to soil builders.
One wonders how much top soil power shovel operat-
ing in three eighthour shifts taking cubic yards
dirt at bite will One wonders how many tractors
the spoil banks of Brookfeld township between
Renrock and Belle Valley around Macksburg else
where in Noble county where stripping operations and
have been in effect
and abiding interest in soil building and soil preservation
and improvement which have tried to advocate in
strange to read article like the above
Noble county will be strip mined through its very
southeastern Ohio where there COAL should be it's hind
legs demanding effective reclamation
regulatory laws In particular the c. S. every organ
izaons having to do with preserving heritage Of the
good EARTH should be insisting that after coal removed
the land should be properly graded and left in shape for
future usage.
Do you hear of any of these soil agencies going bat
for better reclamation? AS member of the Ohio Board of
reclamation do recall single instance of any of the
number showing the slightest interest in the effective
forcenent of the reclamation laws of trying to assist
Governor Lausche in his effort something from the
weckage of the beautiful hills of eastern Ohio through strip
mining.
Some coal stripping companies doing good job
of resoraonand of them doing just little
they get by with much they compelled to
do by law In the meantime certainly strikes slightly
humorous for soil building salared agencies standing by
and mumblng around about losing little top soil through
erosion while the very good earth itself is being disem
boweed turned under and the top soil replaced with acid
shae sandstone and toxic subso which, in many instances,
will not grow anything for cenury-f ever.
If hope to this land to the next generation
etc This would be humorous it not tragic to the
future of Morgan Noble and thousands of of eastern
and southeastern Ohio hills.
Reminds of the story of the old lady whose house
washed away flood but whose sole worry not
from the loss of her home but in the fact her favor pair
of scissors away with the building" Morgan County
Herald, McConnelSville, Ohio.