ANNUAL REPORT, 1943-44 9 



Soil Conservation Research Projects. (Karol J. Kucinski and Walter S. Eisen- 

 menger.) 



Physical and Chemical Properties of Wind-Blown Soils. During the past year 

 laboratory tests and field observations were made to determine why certain 

 soils are subject to wind erosion while others are not. The chemical and physical 

 properties of the various soils were studied intensively to see whether there is 

 any correlation between these properties and wind erodibility. A wind tunnel 

 especially designed for local conditions has been used to supplement field obser- 

 vations. 



It has been found that certain Connecticut Valley soils will erode at as low a 

 wind velocity as four miles per hour, while others will not blow at much higher 

 velocities. Most soils tested will seriously erode at wind velocities varying from 

 15 to 20 miles per hour. All the soils tested will blow at 35 miles per hour, except 

 when moist. However, soils containing as much as 25 to 35 percent moisture 

 will blow when frozen since freezing, by solidifying the water molecule, acts as a 

 dehydrating agent. Because there was so little snow in the Valley last season, 

 more dust storms than usual occurred during late fall, winter, and early spring. 

 Chemical treatment of soil with such compounds as urea and lithium carbonate 

 has greatly decreased its wind erodibility. 



Use of Snow Fencing in Controlling Wind Erosion. On farms where wind 

 erosion is a problem, it often happens that certain local areas or spots are much 

 more subject to blowing than the remainder of the field. This condition may 

 arise from a variety of causes and usually appears spasmodically in different years 

 or under certain weather conditions. It is recognized that anything that can be 

 used to check the velocity of the wind will have a very definite effect on wind 

 erosion, and highway' snow fencing equipment is being studied for use in this 

 connection. 



Erosion Problems- Arising from Changes in Land Use. Because of the favor- 

 able economic position that potatoes have assumed in recent years, many areas 

 that are not particularly suitable for the growing of cultivated crops have been 

 plowed up, with the result that soil erosion problems have been developed that 

 are deserving of serious consideration. Sheet and gully erosion are increasing 

 yearly on some of these fields, and laboratory tests show a yearly increase in the 

 rate of organic matter depletion. Some operators are already experiencing a 

 decrease in potato yields and have called on the Soil Conservation Service for 

 aid in formulating plans for the protection of their fields. 



Sunflowers and Their Possibilities. (Karol J. Kucinski and Walter S. Eisen- 

 menger.) Tests show that sunflowers will grow on any land which will grow 

 corn, best results being obtained when the seed was sown, one every 18 inches in 

 36 inch rows, using corn fertilizer. Sunflowers are more hardy to light frost than 

 corn and can be planted at the time it is safe to plant field corn. Depending on 

 the season and variety, a growing period of 120 to 140 days is sufficient for matur- 

 ing the seed in Massachusetts. Yields of one to two tons can easily be obtained 

 under favorable conditions. 



Onion Breeding. (Hrant M. Yegian.) F2 progenies from a cross between 

 White Persian, with light leaf color, and Ebenezer, with yellow skin and dark 

 leaf color, gave a close ratio of three yellow to one white skin bulbs. Dark leaf 

 color was dominant over light. There was an extreme variation in leaf color in 

 the F2 population indicating that this is a quantitative character influenced by 

 the environment. 



