ANNUAL MEETING OHIO STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 79 



The causes of the differences in the crop producing power of our soils 

 is certainly one of the most important, if not the most important, problems 

 with which our soil investigators have to deal. After many years of patient 

 investigation there are many things relating to this great problem about 

 which we know practically nothing. The classifying and mapping of the var- 

 ious types, together with a study of the conditions and processes under which 

 they have been formed, will furnish essential and invaluable data for the con- 

 duct of laboratory investigation. The field is Nature's great laboratory and 

 a study of her methods cannot fail to offer many valuable suggestions and in 

 some cases the only means of solving her problems. The field observation 

 or experiment can be used as check upon and as an aid in the interpretation 

 of laboratory investigations and as stated by Dr. Wheeler, Director of the 

 Rhode Island Station, "is a safe and necessary anchor with which to keep 

 the laboratory experimenter from being dashed against the rock of pure 

 speculation."* It is only through a combination of field and laboratory stud- 

 ies that an understanding of many of these fundamental and puzzling prob- 

 lems can be reached. 



THE SOIL SURVEY A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF THE AGRICULTURAL SURVEY. 



The Experiment Station is now conducting an Agricultural Survey of this 

 Sta.te. It is not necessary for me at this time to explain in detail the character 

 of this work, as this has already been done by Professor Goddard, who knows a 

 great deal more about the sub jest than I do. I will state briefly, however, 

 that it will embrace a historical study of the different classes of people, crops, 

 livestock and types of farming; the date of introduction, the rate of increase and 

 cause of the decline of each, if such exists. A circular has been issued showing 

 the centers of rural population, and the townships in which increases and decreases 

 have occurred. Another circular gives the centers of agricultural production, the 

 average yield per acre and shows the townships which produce the most wheat, 

 the most corn, the most oats, the most tobacco, the most alfalfa and other data. 

 A study of the reason for these differences will be made and a knowledge of the 

 soil is an essential factor in all such investigations. 



Studies of the farm practice problems relating to selected individual crops 

 or enterprises will be taken up. Such a study of alfalfa has already been made, 

 and it was found that the character of the soil is one of the principal factors in 

 determining whether this crop can be grown successfully. 



Farm Management Surveys for the purpose of securing all possible 

 information regarding investment, expenses, incomes, enterprises, rotations, 

 types of farming, etc., connected with each farm within an area, which has 

 been selected as typical of larger areas, are being made; more definite infor- 

 mation as to the exact cost of the production of farm crops is being secured; 

 studies and reports dealing with the methods of farm practice used on suc- 

 cessful farms in the state are being undertaken. All of these studies are of 

 great importance and will be of much value to the farmers of the State, but 

 you farmers must know whether the soil on the farms upon which such stud- 

 ies are conducted is similar to your own before you can be sure that it will 

 be best for you to adopt the methods found to be most profitable on some 

 other farm. By a determination and careful description of the soil types of 

 the State we expect to make it possible for every intelligent farmer to know 

 what type or types of soil he has on his place and thus be in a position to 

 use to best advantage the large amount of valuable data which is being se- 

 cured relating to various kinds of agriculture. 



* Proceedings of the American Society of Agronomy, Vol. I, p. 44. 



