110 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



survey of another area in south Texas, to be followed next summer 

 by one in western Nebraska. 



The reconnoissance work on the soils of the Ozark region of Mis- 

 souri and Arkansas, begun in 1909, was completed in 1910. The 

 area covers a large part of the territory of both States lying between 

 the Missouri and Arkansas rivers, amounting to about 58,000 square 

 miles. The agriculture of the region is just now at a turning point in 

 its development. The continued use of the soils, as though in the 

 pioneer stage, is no longer possible on account of a number of changes, 

 both natural and artificial. The farmers are seeking to adjust 

 themselves to the new conditions, but with only moderate success 

 in a few localities. The study of the soils of the region at this time 

 is most urgently needed. 



In cooperation with the Washington geological survey an extensive 

 area of logged-off and burned-over lands in the vicinity of Puget 

 Sound has been surveyed. The results will provide a basis for active 

 state aid in clearing and developing these unproductive lands, 

 including reforestation of such tracts as are unsuited to ordinary 

 farm crops. 



In cooperation with the Pennsylvania State College of Agriculture 

 a reconnoissance survey has been made of the high plateau of the 

 western half of the State. This groat work will be completed in that 

 State within a year or two and will be followed as rapidly as possible 

 by detailed surveys of the more important centers of agricultural 

 occupation. 



SOIL-WATER INVESTIGATIONS. 



Soil-water investigations naturally fall into two major lines — that 

 of the surface waters which are likely to erode the soil and injure the 

 field by rendering the surface rough and uncultivable and carry off 

 the most productive portion, and that of the subsurface waters which 

 move through the soil, resembling a great arterial flow in carrying 

 material from place to place and performing an important function 

 in maintaining stable conditions for crops and the permanency of the 

 soil itself. Especial attention has been given to this latter line of 

 work during the past year. 



The soil-water investigations both on the Great Plains and in valleys 

 among the mountains show the great extent and agricultural impor- 

 tance of the ground waters. In the Great Plains these waters, derived 

 partly from local rainfall, but largely from the heavier precipitation 

 in the mountains, permeate the formations and deposits, pass 

 through them at widely varjang rates, and approach the surface 

 under their particular h^'drostatic head, often within reach of the 

 ordinary capillary movements. When thus brought near the surface 

 the waters improve the constitution and increase the productivity of 

 the soil. Even at greater depths they are generally within reach of 



