Humus in California Soils (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Humus in California Soils

Information and data regarding the nature of the soils of the State have been Obtained through the physical and chemical analyses Of thousands of samples taken according to our directions and sent to our laboratory by farmers throughout California; 'by the examination of samples of a few feet in depth taken by us or other members Of the station staff; and of one hundred soil columns taken to depths of ten or twelve feet from each of the main soil regions of the State, chiefly by the author and his assistant, the late F. E. Johnson.

It has been the policy of the California Experiment Station, from the time when Professor Hilgard established it in 1875 to the present time, to respond to the call of farmers for information regarding problems of the farm in all of its branches, and especially those of the soil and its products. The examination of soils has been free to the farmer, and during these years many thousands of samples of soil have been sent to us by them to ascertain whether there be a lack of plant food and a need of fertilizers, whether alkali salts be present and how gotten rid of, or whether there be some other causes of infertility. The samples were for the most part taken according to our directions, and examined as to their physical properties, and as to the approximate amount of humus, lime, and phosphoric acid, and sometimes of potash, short methods for these determinations having been adopted. Where alkali was found to be present in any appreciable amount, the percentage of each salt was determined by a regular analysis.

These examinations of soils that came from every part of the State, together with such personal visits as Professor Hilgard and the author were able to make to the main agricultural regions, gave an excellent insight into the agricultural conditions of every part of the State; which has been of very great importance in our work and a special help toward the completion of a soil map of the State, there being no funds available for the prosecution of a soil survey.

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