KEPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGEICULTCRE. LXIII 



the appropriation bill it will be impossible for the Bureau of Soils to 

 continue this work. It will be recommended that such changes be 

 made in the next appropriation act as will enable the Department to 

 resume operations in Porto Rico. I know of no more valuable work 

 the Department can do than to thus investio-ate the actual conditions 

 in these island possessions, and the extension of the soil survey to them 

 should give a basis for the best and most economical development of 

 their agricultural resources at a time when so many people are looking 

 to these islands for investments and when the people of the islands 

 themselves need all the help that can be given them. 



SOUTH CAEOLINA. 



During the past fiscal year an area of 686 square miles has been 

 survej^ed around Abbeville, and on the completion of this work the 

 party, in charge of Mr. Taylor, will make a survey of Darlington 

 County, particularly in the interest of the bright-tobacco growers and 

 truck growers. 



It is proposed to detail a part}" for nine months during the coming 

 field season to survey an area in Spartanburg, Pickens, and Orange- 

 burg counties, particularly in the interest of the cotton, fruit, and 

 bright-tobacco growers. 



SOUTH DAKOTA. 



No surveys have been carried on in this State, nor are any contem- 

 plated for the present field season. It seems desirable, however, to 

 assign a party for a period of three months during the next field sea- 

 son to start a survey in Brookings County. 



TENNESSEE. 



During the past fiscal year a survey in the interest of the tobacco 

 growers was made of Montgomer}' County, embracing an area of 547 

 square miles, under the direction of Mr. J. E. Lapham. Among the 

 important results of this survey has been the suggestion that one type 

 of soil which is at present of little agricultural value and Avhich covers 

 a considerable area, is adapted to fruit growing, and it is believed 

 that this interest could be introduced with profit to the community. 

 It was hoped that the survey would be the basis of an investigation of 

 the possibilities of improving the tobacco interests, but the appropri- 

 ation for the Bureau was not sufficient to enable this to be done. 



It is proposed to extend the soil survey to Greene, Cumberland, and 

 Davidson counties, assigning a party to this work for a period of about 

 nine months during the coming field season. 



TEXAS. 



During the past field season the Willis area of 215 square miles has 

 been surveyed in the interest of the tobacco growers, and a party of 



