BULLETIN OF THE 
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 in 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 
decomposition of rock material in place 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 
Note— This bulletin is of general interest, but especially in Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi, 
Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. 
74681°— Bull. 180—15 1 
p. i 
