Department of Soils. 49 



Three primary lines, aside from the survey, are urged for considera- 

 tion as soon as funds for them shall be available : 



(a) Drainage. A study of the drainage properties of the different 

 soil types and of the best methods of removing the water from each, 

 together with a study of the effectiveness and durability of different 

 types of tile under different conditions of soil and climate. 



(b) Fertiliser needs of soil. The department receives many inquiries 

 from farmers for information as to the best fertilizers for their uses. 

 While some facts bearing on the mode of action of fertilizers are 

 still lacking in soil knowledge, it is entirely feasable to gain prac- 

 tical information about the fertilizer needs of different soils by field- 

 plot investigation, and it is felt that such information should be ob- 

 tained on a number of points on the important soil formations of 

 the State. The special study of the effects of lime is one phase of 

 the problem ; that of the humus supply is another. Sooner or later 

 such work must be done. 



(c) Soil management. The writer wishes to repeat the suggestions 

 made in other connections, of the great desirability of the College 

 securing a farm unit area of the typical hill land of the southern 

 part of the State for study and demonstration of the possibilities of 

 managing and improving in a practical way this extensive area of' 

 soil. It brings to the College some of the most difficult problems. 

 Its solution does not lay in the domain of any single department. 

 The soil conditions are one fundamental factor. In the opinion of 

 the writer, only by combining these various factors into a business 

 experiment can the maximum of value for the farmer of the present 

 generation be secured. Such a farm of proper area — the writer 

 would suggest at least 250 acres — should be typically located and 

 should be conducted for 10 years as a business experiment. 



E. O. FIPPIN. 



Assistant Professor of Soils. 



