72 DEPARTMENTAL REPOETS. 



after the completion of the fiekl work. Siieli delay in brinuing out 

 the reports, while seemingly excessive, is really necessary to insnre 

 the thorough i^reparation of the material and field notes and the best 

 results in the i^reparation of the lithographic maps. It can hardly 

 be expected that the results of these field investigations will be pub- 

 lished in less than a j^ear after the field work has been completed. 



GREAT DEMANDS FOR THE SOIL SURVEY. 



As soon as announcements Avere made that the Division of Soils had 

 actually commenced the survey and mapping of agricultural lands, 

 and as the results began to appear in circulars, bulletins, maps, and 

 notices, there was a very great demand for work in important agri- 

 cultural centers all over the country. I have endeavored to meet 

 these demands so far as the available men and the resources of the 

 Division would permit, and the field parties have been shifted from 

 place to place more than a consideration of economy and real effi- 

 ciency would warrant. It requires three or four weeks for a field 

 party to become thoroughly acquainted with the physiographic con- 

 ditions, the soil tyj)es, and the agricultural conditions of a district, 

 which have to be acquired before the most efficient and rapid work 

 can be done in the survey and mapping of soils. After three or four 

 months of detailed work in an area the i)arty is in a position to do the 

 most valuable and most rapid Avork. For this reason, it should be left 

 in an area undisturbed for from six to nine months, according to the 

 length of season, but in order to comply as far as possible with the 

 requests which have been received, the field parties have not been 

 able to spend more than two or three months at most in any one 

 locality. 



In several cases the States have offered to provide money for the 

 field expenses and even for the pay of soil experts in order to start 

 the work of a soil survey or to extend the area that we are able to 

 promise them. These offers, however, in several cases have had to be 

 declined, as there were no men available to be placed in the field except 

 those composing the small force trained in this Division and who are 

 at the jjresent time engaged in training others. Foreseeing the great 

 interest the work would arouse and the demand there would be for 

 the extension of the work, I have given a great deal of attention to 

 the selection and training of young men, and I am gratified to announce 

 that we are i^repared now for a large extension of the area which we 

 can survey next year I am ready to expend judiciously and to good 

 advantage a large increase in the appropriation for this Division, if 

 this should be granted by Congress. 



From the numerous requests for tlie extension of the soil survej' to 

 other States a few extracts from letters will show the wide interests 

 involved. A prominent tobacco grower of the Connecticut Yallej", in 

 acknowledging the receipt of a copy of the soil map of that locality, 

 says : 



It certainly is very interesting and useful and a great advantage to everyone 

 seeking tobacco or tobacco lands. As I am very well acquainted with the soil 

 through the valley, the map I consider a great work, on account of its accuracy. 



The map is as useful to the packer in buying tobacco of given grade 

 as to the person seeking to buj^ land adapted to certain crops. 

 A correspondent from Florida says : 



We regard these soil investigations as of great importance to the farmer, and 

 are anxious that the Department extend the work to the State of Florida. 



