THE SOIL SURVEY 739 



tent of humus and lime carbonate, with which color and 

 drainage arc' associated; and thirdly, by means of the 

 geological formation and mode of origin. Fairly com- 

 plete mechanical and chemical analyses of representative 

 samples of the important types are included, and the rela- 

 tion of the soils to crops and farm practice is discussed at 

 some length. The grouping of the types into series, 

 groups, provinces, and the like, is not so distinct as in the 

 American surveys. That the fundamental importance 

 of the larger factors in classification are recognized is 

 shown in the discussion of the relation of precipitation 

 and temperature to the properties and agricultural uses 

 of the soil, in which the controlling influence of these 

 over large areas is pointed out. 



635. Uses of the soil survey. The soil survey is 

 useful in many ways, but it is not a final investigation. 

 It is to be regarded rather as a means of determining the 

 status of the soil and related conditions in the field. 

 These may throw light on many farm practices and lead 

 to their improvement. More frequently the soil survey 

 points to lines of further investigation that should be 

 carried out. 



The uses of the soil survey may be conveniently divided 

 into two groups its use to the individual, and its use 

 to the state. For the individual, the soil survey (1) points 

 out the character and location of the several types of soil 

 on his farm which may be correlated with particular 

 crops and farm practices ; (2) shows him the relationship 

 of soils over wide areas, which may form a basis for the 

 adoption of new crops or new methods of soil manage- 

 ment; (3) provides a reliable central source of informa- 

 tion concerning soil conditions ; (4) standardizes methods 

 of description and representation of soils : (5) reveals in 



