xcvi Department of Soil Technology 



and the systems of drains outlined by representatives of this department. 

 Besides these, seventeen applications were refused because of lack of 

 facilities. The surveys made cover 2,000 acres. Approximately one 

 fourth of this was absolutely swamp land. The remainder consists of 

 ordinary farm land too wet for profitable crop production. 



In addition, an application was received for aid on a swamp drainage 

 project, involving three or four square miles of muck and otherwise 

 wet land. As this was a larger undertaking than our men have been 

 accustomed to handle, the assistance of the Federal Office of Drainage 

 Investigations was invited and the work was covered in cooperation with 

 that office. 



The result of drainage surveys is summarized in a blue-print map show- 

 ing the form of the land, the arrangement, size, and grade of the drains, 

 and a report calling attention to special features to be observed in the 

 construction of the system, which is furnished to the person assisted so 

 that the plan may be carried out at his convenience. 



In all this drainage work, men have been employed at a per diem 

 salary and expenses, the latter being paid by the parties assisted. To 

 carry this amount of drainage work has been a very severe tax on our 

 resources, and in view of the limited funds at our disposal no projects 

 of this sort will be accepted during the coming year except as the applicant 

 may be willing to pay both expenses and per diem salary. This arrange- 

 ment will, of course, be conditioned on the availability of suitable men to 

 make such a survey. Under these conditions the delays in the proper 

 completion of the survey work are likely to be long. 



The educational value of such a survey to the community would be 

 greatly increased by a meeting in the field with the expert, of the in- 

 habitants of the region, using the particular project under consideration 

 as an illustration. 



Correspondence with the people of the State continues to grow. The 

 number of regular letters sent out during the year was 3,150, an increase 

 of 53 per cent over the preceding year. In addition, 2,750 circular letters 

 were sent out, making a total of 5,900 letters, or an increase of 58 per 

 cent. 



Lectures. — Nineteen lectures were given outside the College, aside 

 from those in extension schools. 



Soil problems. — Many farms were visited in connection with local 

 general and special problems in soil improvement. 



Exhibits were made at four county and state fairs and at the meeting 

 of the \"egetable Growers' Association of America. 



Extension schools. — Instruction in soils was given in three extension 

 schools held during the winter, aggregating thirteen days. 



