REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. LIX 



The demand for tlie continuation and extension of this work iu Mis- 

 souri has been so great that it seems desirable to assign a party there 

 for nine months for the survey of Shelby, Saline, and Webster coun- 

 ties during the next field season. 



MONTANA. 



During the past fiscal year the Billings area, comprising about 105 

 square miles, has been surveyed under the direction of Mr. C. A. 

 Jensen. Considerable trouble and loss has resulted from the rise of 

 alkali in this area, and the survey was planned with particular refer- 

 ence to determining the possibility of preventing this trouble and 

 reclaiming the land already damaged. It is considered quite feasible 

 to accomplish this object, and it is probable that a demonstration will 

 be made of the efiiciency of proper drainage in preventing the rise of 

 alkali and in reclaiming the alkali soils of this locality. 



It would seem desirable to assign a party to this State for six months 

 in the next field season to make surveys in the Gallatin Valley and in 

 the Milk River Valley around Glasgow. 



NEBRASKA. 



No work has heretofore been done in this State, but it is proposed 

 to assign a party for nine months of the next field season to make soil 

 surveys of the Grand Island and Holdrege areas in the interest par- 

 ticularl}^ of the sugar-beet industry. 



NEW JERSEY. 



During the fiscal year just passed a survey of the Salem area, com- 

 prising 493 square miles, was completed under the direction of Mr. 

 Bonsteel, and a survey of the Trenton area, under the charge of Mr. 

 Burke, has been started and will be completed during the present field 

 season. 



The Salem area lies wholly within the Coastal Plain region and has 

 eleven diflferent types of soil. These are adapted to various truck 

 crops, fruit interests, and general farming. The people have already 

 recognized the relation of the soils to crops and have adapted their 

 industries to the various soil areas. The success has been so remark- 

 able that the lesson ma}" well be carried to other localities along the 

 Atlantic coast where similar soils preA'ail. 



The Trenton area lies parti}" in the Coastal Plain and partly in the 

 Piedmont Plateau, and gives even a wider range of soils. This area 

 is particularly adapted to specialization of crops and the building up 

 of widely different agricultural interests. 



The interest in this work justifies its continuation, and it seems 

 desirable to spend six months during the next field season in the sur- 

 vey of the Monmouth Shore area, east of and immediately adjoining 

 the Trenton area. 



