No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 251 



as it is covered by sod and forest. And this protection of the soil 

 surface by the sturdy growing tree is of immense value to agricul- 

 ture. The southern and eastern counties, however, have a complex 

 topography and their rocks are highly inclined and they suffer very 

 much from the scour and the transportation of the soluble elements 

 of their rocks from hill and dale. Impoverishment threatens their 

 lands. Those which exceed an inclination of 15 feet in 100 should 

 be devoted to forests only, because the depletion of their surface is 

 more rapid than the possible replenishment from natural sources. 

 Timber is the only crop that can be harvested there without imme- 

 diate loss of fertility. Fields having a slope nearly as great, should 

 not be plowed any more than is necessary to bring them to the 

 state of good grass lands. Late fall plowing would be better than 

 early spring plowing. The encouragement of rye or other green 

 crop during the winter months should be regarded. To one cog- 

 nizant of the vast storehouses of riches in and under the soils, the 

 main causes for the depletion of our lands appears to lie in the 

 reckless eft"ort to win for the plow, lands totally unfit for the un- 

 natural form of cultivation (since it must be conceded that the pro- 

 cesses employed in obtaining the crops are essentially unnatural), 

 and in the extravagant waste of the riches of the soil in the absence 

 of adequate provision against the ravishments, of surface waters. 

 Several methods have been suggested here, and elsewhere, and it 

 is skilful husbandry and our imperative duty to generations to come 

 to preserve these natural soil fertilizers. 



The subject lies at the very foundation of public prosperity, and, 

 except through intelligent comprehension of this question, no hope 

 of amendment is possible. I do not pretend to have discussed this 

 subject from an agricultural point of view, but wish to show the 

 results of certain phases of geological inquiry which have as vital 

 and as definite a concern for the agricultural and forestry interests 

 as the other lines of geological investigation have for the econ- 

 omies of the mineral industries. Geological agencies furnish the 

 basis for the soils, geological forces contribute to their replenish- 

 ment, and when man's efforts are in harmony with geological pro- 

 cesses, abundant harvests will be the reward for untold genera- 

 tions. 



The following analyses of limestone and sandstone will illus- 

 trate the point raised. It will be noted that the only change in the 

 character of the sandstone soil as compared with its primary rock 

 source is in a slight reduction of the silica, sand, and a correspond- 

 ing increase of the other constituents. The sample taken is from a 

 location where there was little accretion from any source than the 

 underlying rock. 



