LIV REPOKT OF THE SECEETARY OP AGRICULTURE. 



IDAHO. 



A soil survey party, under the direction of Mr. C. A. Jensen, has 

 completed a survey of the Boise area, extending from Boise City to a 

 point some distance west of Caldwell and including the principal irri- 

 gated lands of that section. Serious problems were encountered in 

 this area in the occurrence of hardpan in the soils, and there were 

 other soil problems upon w^hich advice was given which it is believed 

 will be of material economic value in the agricultural development of 

 the area, which is assuming considerable importance. 



A party, in charge of Mr. Louis Mesmer, has been assigned to sur- 

 vey the area between Lewiston and Moscow. The wheat yields in 

 this area have declined, and the people are anxious to introduce for- 

 age crops, and the soil survey work is to be used as a basis for the 

 consideration of this problem. 



Representations have been made to the Department which make it 

 appear advisable to spend about six months in the next field season in 

 the survey of the irrigated lands of the Blackfoot area. 



ILLINOIS. 



Through cooperation with the Illinois experiment station the Bureau 

 was enabled to put two parties in the field during the early part of 

 the present field season, and at the close of the fiscal year had made a 

 soil survey of Tazewell and Clinton counties, under the direction of 

 Mr. Ja}' A. Bonsteel, and a portion of St. Clair County, under the 

 direction of Mr. George N. Coffey. During the remainder of the 

 present field season it is proposed to finish St. Clair and Claj' counties, 

 if time permits. So far as this work has been examined, particularly 

 the finished maps of Tazewell and Clinton counties, it is believed that 

 the results will be of material benefit and value to the farmers. Thir- 

 teen soil tj'pes were recognized in Tazewell County and seven in Clin- 

 ton County and their relation to crops reported upon. 



A copy of the soil map and report on the Tazewell area has been 

 sent to one of the most intelligent and progressive landowners, with 

 the request that the work be critically examined and freely criticised, 

 so that we may get advice in advance of publication as to the practical 

 utility and usefulness of the work and suggestions as to other lines 

 that could be profitably developed. 



So far as the Bureau is at present informed this work has aroused 

 a great deal of interest, and it is believed that it will be of value to 

 the people. Requests have been made for upward of 25,000 copies 

 of each of these reports, with accompanying maps, to supply the local 

 demand which is likely to arise. So much interest has been taken in 

 this surve}" that urgent requests have been made by the Illinois exper- 

 iment station that the work shall be continued in the State, and it is 

 proposed to assign a party to the State for the entire field season of 



