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Report of Progress of the Committee on Soil Profile Exchange
Author(s) -
Harper Horace J.
Publication year - 1933
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1933.036159950b1420010035x
Subject(s) - citation , library science , political science , computer science
Last year information secured from a letter of inquiry sent out by the committee on soil profile exchange indicated that a large number of peopl e were interested in the exchange of soil profiles. However due to present economi c conditions there are many institutions which are not able, because of a lack of funds, to prepare soil monoliths for exchange . Consequentl y the committee believes that in order to benefit the greates t number of people some arrangemen t should be made for exchanging samples of soil taken from each soil horizon in the profil e as recommende d in last year' s report. Due to some differences of opinion in regard to the method which should be used in preserving these loose samples of soil, the committee on soil profile exchange request s that the societ y cooperat e in the preparation of samples taken from horizons of typical profiles and exhibit this material at the next annual meeting in order to secure the best possibl e means of giving to those who may study the different profiles a maximum amount of information concerning the physical properties of each particular soil. It has been suggeste d to the committee that each horizon be reduced to one-fourth of the original thickness and that solid blocks of soil be mounted on a suitable background. One member of the committee has been collecting samples according to the method used by Dr. W. B. Cobb. The size and the durability of the container needs further study. Although a list of the different soil profiles which could be supplied by different institutions was compiled by the committee last year, this list was discarded since Dr. C. F. Marbut consented to prepare a list of typical soil series which represent the major soil differences in the United States. The committee wishes to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Marbut for this information. The list of soil series has been divided into two groups. The first group indicates those soils which are most important, and quoting from Dr. Marbut's letter: "I f samples from the silt loam or loam, or fine sandy loam from each of these series are collected and distributed to the teacher s throughout the United States, they wil l have a rather representativ e list of the soils of the whole country." These soils are as follows: