7nO EXPKl^nrKNT station IvMX'ORD. 



iiicliidc llic ii;ilui(' and lii- (ory oT soil loiiiiat ions an<l (lie inai>i)ing" of 

 soil areas. As lliis subject is very complex, it is desirable that the 

 various lines ol' investigation may before long be established on a 

 thoroiigli and permanent basis in different parts of theconntry through 

 the cooperation of this Department, the exi>eriment stations, and the 

 agricultural colleges. There are three principal lines of investigation: 

 The chemistry of the soil, in which a vast anutunt of data has been 

 accumulated, for which there is at present no satisfactory interjjreta- 

 tion, but in which there is yet important work to be done upon meth- 

 ods of chemical analysis and u])on the form of combination in the 

 soil; the bacteriology of the soil, which has hardly yet been placed 

 ui)on a systematic basis; and the jdaysical proi)erties of soils. This 

 last should include the texture and structure of soils and their rela- 

 tion to water and heat. The origin and the formation of the soils 

 and their geological classification and areal mapping should be con- 

 sidered, as well as the effect of soil conditions, especially the amount 

 of moisture existing in different types of soil or maintained by different 

 methods of cultivation, upon the physiology of the plant. Meteorology 

 should likewise be studied in all its bearings ui)on soil areas and dif- 

 ferent soil formations. A serious hindrance to the organizaticm of a 

 wide and thorough system of soil investigation in this country is the 

 lack of instruction in this important subject in our colleges, and of 

 properly trained experts to carry out the details of the work. Oppor- 

 tunities are open now for a considerable number of workers in these 

 lines. In view of these facts more attention should be paid to those 

 branches which have a direct bearing upon original research in soils, 

 and several centers of instruction should be established in certain 

 sections of the country, presided over by men who are authorities 

 on soil studies and who are themselves carrying on important soil 

 investigations. It is important, in the first place, that a w^ell-con- 

 sidered and systematic course of instruction bearing upon soil inves- 

 tigations should be presented at these institutions. The special line 

 of research should depend partly upon the environment and condi- 

 tion of the institution. Different portions of our country offer excep- 

 tional advantages for work in one or more of these lines. The physical 

 and physiological problejus can best be studied in the arid regions 

 where irrigation is praciticed and the water supply can be controlled. 

 In the Middle and Southern Atlantic and Gulf States suitable material 

 for inquiries on the geologic jn'oblems is found in the wide number of 

 di;'tinctly typical soil conditions there represented. In the glaciated 

 area none of these problems can be so well investigated, but chemical 

 and bacteriological studies of soils can be as well carried on there as 

 elsewhere. Specialization will count for as much here as elsewhere, 

 and it will be far better that only a few well-equipped institutions should 

 undertake th^s work and stake their reputation largely upon it. Great 

 soil areas and great agricultural conditions must be considered, rather 

 than interests bounded by State lines. 



