EXPERIMENT STATION REPORTS. 203 



REPORT OF THE SOILS SECTION. 



Director R. S. Shaw: 



The different Hues of experimental work undertaken by the members of 

 the Soils section have been conducted with enthusiasm, and gratif jdng results 

 have been obtained. 



The number of soil fertility projects on mineral soils has been increased 

 until there are underway forty-five in rather widely separated areas of the 

 State. The request for cooperative tests and demonstrations has been 

 greater than we could put on and care for properly. A notable example of 

 the success of this movement is the interest manifested in Kalamazoo 

 countJ^ Here the board of supervisors set aside sufficient funds to conduct 

 tests on different soil types. County Agent R. L. Olds deserves much credit 

 for the success of this campaign. The results that have been obtained have 

 been reported in the Experiment Station Quarterly, bulletins, and the agri- 

 cultural press. 



Several muck land cooperative fields are in progress. Cultural operations 

 and different coml^inations of manure and fertilizers are showing striking 

 results on some of the deposits that have been under cultivation a number of 

 years. Thus far the work has been well received and as with the mineral 

 soils the requests for cooperation by farmers have been greater than could be 

 met. As a result we are attempting to so distribute these that the maxi- 

 mum number of farmers will be served. In this field the cooperation of 

 county agents has been of great value in many respects. 



The researches of Dr. G. J. Bouj'oucos on the soil solution, soil moisture 

 and the causes of the appearance of frost on the muck areas have been con- 

 ducted with vigor, care and foresight. 



Mr. Spurway has continued the investigation on the effects of fertilizer salts 

 on soils. Such information is fundamental to a knowledge of the proper 

 use of such materials. IMr. Millar in addition to his instructional duties has 

 obtained information on the soluble materials in cropped and virgin soils. ^ 



The soil survey is progressing satisfactorily. Field parties are at work in 

 St. Joseph, Ottawa and Ontonagon counties. The employment of a leader 

 of field parties should enable the work to be correlated and maintained at a 

 high standard. 



The various members of the Soils section desire to express their apprecia- 

 tion of 3'our timely advice and support during the year. 



Respectfully submitted, 



M. M. McCOOL. 

 East Lansing, Michigan, June 30 1921. 



