LVI REPOET OF THE SECRETAEY OF AGRICULTURE. 



central part of the State, in what may be considered the beginning of 

 the semiarid portion of the West. 



KENTUCKY. 



During the past fiscal year a survey was made of Union County, 

 which has an area of about 330 square miles, under the charge of Mr. 

 Marean. Eight types of soil were recognized, and while apparently 

 the soils are quite uniform in texture and natural fertility, the possi- 

 bilities of introducing new industries and better methods of cultivation 

 were clearly indicated. At present the area is given up almost exclu- 

 sively to wheat culture, but there are good opportunities for greater 

 diversification through improvements in the management of soils, the 

 rotation of crops, and in growing products new to the area. 



Demands for soil-survey work in Kentucky have been quite strong, 

 and it seems desirable to assign a party to that State for nine months 

 during the next field season, the surveys to include Henderson, Chris- 

 tian, and Scott counties. This work will be mainly in the interest of 

 the tobacco growers, stock raisers, and general agricultural interests. 



LOUISIANA. 



A soil surve}' was made during the last fiscal year by Mr. W. H. 

 Heileman in the Lake Charles area in the interest of the rice growers, 

 an area of 202 square miles having been covered. Six types of soil 

 were recognized in what was supposed to be a uniform area, and it 

 was found that the relation of these soils to the yield of rice was quite 

 marked, and the desirability of extending the survey to other rice 

 districts was clearly recognized. Moreover, under the present sys- 

 tem of exclusive rice culture, not even sufficient food for the stock is 

 produced, while meat and vegetables for the support of the people are 

 imported in large part from other States. There is no reason for this 

 so far as the soils or climatic conditions are concerned, and it is pointed 

 out that a proper diversity of interests would materially add to the 

 welfare of the community. 



It seems desirable to spend three months during the next field sea- 

 son in Arcadia Parish in the interest particularly of the rice, sugar, 

 and tobacco producers. 



MARYLAND. 



Very strong demands have come for the continuation of the surveys 

 in Maryland to include the whole of the State, and particularly of 

 Worcester, Somerset, and Baltimore counties, and it is proposed to 

 assign a party there for six months during the next field season. 



During the past fiscal 3'ear Harford County, covering an area of 

 418 square miles, has been surveyed by a party under the charge of 

 Mr. W. G. Smith. There is no place where the survey has been car- 



