BUEEAU OF SOILS. 167 



It seems desirable to si3end about six months in the survey of a 

 portion of the Parsons sheet of the Geological Survey, in the north- 

 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 Count3% 

 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, tlie possi- 

 bilities of introducing new industries and better methods of cultiva- 

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

 exclusively 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 survey was made during the last fiscal j'ear bj' Mr. W. H. 

 Pleileman 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 system of exclusive 

 rice culture, not even sufficient food for the stock is produced, Avhile 

 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 year Harford Count}", 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 carried 

 on where more interest has been manifested and more use has been 

 made of the work than in this State. Possibilities have been shown, 

 particularly in Prince George, St. Mar}^, and Calvert counties, of the 

 specialization of crojjs in the line of fruit growing, trucking, and 

 general farming and dairying, which would veiy materially benefit the 

 people and add greatly to the prosperity of the community. 



While much work has already been done in this State, it is believed 

 that the intelligent interest and appreciation shown in the results of 



