BULLETIN OF THE 



I 



No. 180 



Contribution from the Bureau of Soils, Milton Whitney, Chief. 

 ■ April 16, 1915. 



SOIL EROSION IN THE SOUTH. 



By R. O. E. Davis, 

 Scientist in Soil Laboratory Investigations. 



The study of eroding soils has been undertaken to determine if 

 possible from both a field and laboratory examination the factors 

 influencing erosion and the means applicable for its prevention or 

 correction. A field trip involving this study was made through the 

 States of Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, 

 Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Observations were 

 made on the nature of erosion, the effects produced by erosion, reme- 

 dies applicable or in use, differences ui forest or field, the topography 

 and drainage, the nature of the soils and subsoils, and on such agri- 

 cultural problems as terracing, crop rotation, seeding for pasture, 

 labor, and economic conditions. In this paper are discussed the con- 

 ditions affecting soil erosion as observed in the field. A study of the 

 important soils is being made in the laboratory and a subsequent 

 paper will deal with their physical characteristics and properties. 



EROSION AS RELATED TO THE FORMATION OF SOILS. 



It is necessary at the outset to understand something of the 

 methods of soil formation and the causes producing soils. The two 

 large classes of soils, according to the processes by which the soils 

 material has been accumulated, are those derived from material 

 accumulated by disintegration and decomposition of the rock in 

 place, or residual soils, and those derived from material accumulated 

 by deposition from wind, water, or ice. 



RESIDUAL SOILS. 



The accumulation of soil material through the disintegration and 

 decompositicni (;f rock inat(Tial in places is effected by a number of 

 forces both mechanical and chemical in their nature. The most 

 important mechanical process and the only one worthy of mention 



SoTK ThI.s bulletin \h of K<^n(!ral Interest, but csponially In Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, MLssisslppi, 

 Alal^ma, •'ieorgla, Houlh Carolina, and North Carolina. 

 74681'— Hull. IW>— 1.0 1 



