CHAPTER XVII 

 SOILS 



THE soil is not unlike many other things of this world ; 

 it needs to be understood in order to be appreciated. 

 Contrary to the opinion quite commonly held, soil is not 

 dirt in the sense of the word that it is something to be 



U. S. Geological Survey. 

 FIG. 239. Igneous Rock. 



Characteristic lava flow, Kilauea, Hawaii. 



avoided, . Nearly everything that we eat and wear comes 

 either directly or indirectly from the soil. We are de- 

 pendent upon the soil for our very existence, and we should 

 have a wholesome respect for the tillers of the soil. With 



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