laboratory methods alone. Many soil maps had been prepared, but 

 they were based upon the geology of the area and were of little or no 

 use to the farmer. At the time the new Division began its work the 

 futility of former methods of soil classification was beginning to be 

 realized. 



THE SOIL SURVEY. 



The original object in the organization of the Division of Soils was 

 to study the relation of the climatic conditions of moisture and tem- 

 perature under the surface of the ground to the local distribution of 

 crops. This work was largely of a technical nature, and involved 

 questions of soil conditions and plant growth with which soil investi- 

 gators all over the world had long wrestled. While the Bureau of 

 Soils is now, and has been from the first, working on these intricate 

 problems, it promptlj 7 undertook work of more immediate benefit to 

 the farmer. It saw that differences in the commercial value of land 

 could be detected in the field from the character of the soil and its 

 relation to crops. It believed that if a classification of soils with 

 reference to texture and structure, physiographic position, and crop 

 values were made and the areas of different soils outlined in colors on 

 maps, this would enable a farmer or a prospective purchaser of land in 

 the area to determine at a glance the quality and farming value of any 

 tract of land- Moreover, by carrying into a new area the knowledge 

 of soils and crops gained in former surveys, it could enable the farm- 

 ers of the new area to profit by the experience of those in the areas 

 previously surveyed. This has proved especially valuable in the case 

 of special industries, such as the production of tobacco, fruit, truck, 

 sugar beets, etc. 



So prompt were the farmers to recognize the value of this survey 

 work, and so great was the demand for surveys all over the country, 

 that the Bureau was compelled, contrary to its previous plans and 

 almost against its will, to abandon certain lines of more technical 

 investigation and devote a large part of its energy to the soil survey 

 work. This work is now being carried on by 20 field parties work- 

 ing in as many States and Territories. A soil part} 7 consists generally 

 of two men, who are equipped with a compass, an odometer for meas- 

 uring distances, sometimes with a plane table to make or correct a base 

 map, and with a soil auger to take samples usually to a depth of 3 

 feet in humid regions and 6 feet in arid regions, but by means of 

 extensions capable of taking borings to a depth of 18 feet. I*arties 

 in arid regions where alkali is likely to be encountered are equipped 

 with a portable outfit of instruments and chemicals for determining 

 in the field the total salt content of the soil, and the chemical compo- 

 sition of the alkali salts and irrigation waters. Selecting some town 

 in the area to be surveyed for its temporary headquarters, the party 



