1 C.-The average depth of the soil is about three feet. It is a mixture of decomposed soapstone with some sand and feldspar. It is a gray loam, which darkens considerably on wetting and becomes fairly plastic on kneading. In looking at the analysis of the soil, the most striking feature is the very low percentage of potash and phosphoric acid, and were these not in a very available form and that it was well supplied with lime, it would be considered deficient in these ingredients. That these ingredients are in an available form is shown by the fact that soil from the same general locality has produced good crops for a long series of years. The high percentage of magnesia is consistent with the soil's origin.

1 D.-This is a stiff red clay, and very waxy. The dry lumps are almost impossible to crush, and darkens only slightly on moistening.

1 F., 1 Ğ., 1 H.-These soils are of a reddish color and are quite lumpy. They do not blacken to any extent when wet, but become very sticky. There is considerable iron oxide in the soil, together with quartz and feldspar, with some hornblende. These soils are commonly called "shot-lands," since the iron oxide with particles of clay have formed small nodules which to some extent resemble shot, which by continued wear in cultivation disappear. This socalled "shot-land" covers quite an area of hill country, and as the bottom-lands are approached the shot become less. The natural growth on this soil is fir, alder, and maple. It is a soil which produces well, and one which is easily worked.

1 L.-This soil is somewhat similar to the last three described, but contains less "shot," belonging to the same class of soils, bowever. The soil in this part of Washington County is nearly all of this character in the foothills. It has a range of from 10 to 20 feet in depth. In general, the water is soft, and in many places are found springs which contain more or less iron. From the depth and porosity the soil would not be called deficient in potash, but this is the ingredient which is likely to need the most careful attention.

SOILS FROM BENTON COUNTY.

The soils of Benton County in general resemble those of the other portions of the Willamette Valley, especially those of Polk County. The prairie bottoms are of a rich dark loam, for the most part. There is quite a body of what is called "white land," which is found in various lowlands of the valley. It is a heavy whitish clay, destitute of natural drainage. The great trouble with the land is excessive moisture, but where well drained it seems to give fairly good results.

The hill lands are of a reddish soil of excellent physical condition

for working, and offer most excellent soils for fruit. The bottom soils are made up of the washing from the hills added to the clays and loams from the former sedimentary deposits.

The analyses of the Benton County soils given below are from representative samples, and may be taken as showing in general the composition of their respective kinds. The first two were taken from the College Farm, and their analyses are as follows:

For the sake of comparison the analysis of a California "adobe soil" is placed alongside that from the College farm.

1.78

1.60

.08

1.03

23.21{

.10

9.23

.01

.03

.09

.05

17.44

8.00

100.00

99.38

1. 0

.76

02

03

*

Of the Tuolumne County soil the California report says: "The adobe soil is quite remarkable for its unusually low contents of potash and a most extraordinary proportion of magnesia. * The soil has a fair proportion of lime and phosphoric acid, as well as a high one of humus, and while the potash holds out it should produce well, but should have the most thorough tillage."

The "adobe" soils become exceedingly sticky when wet, and are difficult to work, in fact it is impossible to work them unless taken just at the right point of moisture. It is underlaid by a heavy stiff clay. If the soil is thoroughly tilled it retains moisture well. The main difficulty with this land lies in its poor drainage. If some inert material could in some way be worked into the soil it would render it materially easier to work. The tillability of the soil would be greatly improved by as much lime as could be afforded. It is for this use that large quantities of gypsum could be used could the supply be had at reasonable rates. Anyone finding any indication of gypsum would not only benefit himself but also largely aid our agricultural interests by reporting and investigating the same. The Station is always ready to assist so far as possible in any such line of work.

Improvement of the physical condition of the "adobe" soils is a question for experiment. Underdrainage, so important in all such lands, would probably correct to a large extent, and green manuring would be an aid.

While soil 1 I has even less phosphoric acid than the California soil it also carries a heavier percentage of humus and of lime. From the greater amount of lime a less amount of phosphoric acid would suffice, yet it would seem that this ingredient should receive careful attention. It is intended to conduct experiments during the year as to the relation of "adobe" soil to moisture.

1 B.-This is an alluvial soil sent by Mr. C. J. Bishop of Tidewater. The soil is about four feet deep and of a browish color. As is shown by the mechanical analysis, the soil is of fine texture, the coarse material consists almost entirely of organic matter, sticks, etc. The soil shows a considerable portion of decomposed feldspar. The lumps crush easily between the fingers. The natural growth of trees is cedar, red and yellow fir, alder, and maple, for shrubs and grasses, the vine maple, salmon berry, and native clovers. On account of depth and physical condition it seems to be an excellent soil for roots, but the supply of potash is limited.

1 M and 1 N.-Except so far as the difference in chemical composition is concerned these soils are described as in 1 B. They carry less lime and phosphoric acid, which should be present in at least 10% to give the most satisfactory results.

10 and 1 P.--These run very closely together, 1 P however,

greater moisture coëfficient. The supply of potash in each is fair being a little the heavier soil, and having, as would be expected, the

and of phosphoric is good.

Insoluble matter.

Iron (Fe2O3).

Water and organic matter.

SOILS OF LANE COUNTY.

This county has an area of about 7,000 square miles, with an average breadth of about 50 miles and being about three times the distance in length. About three fourths of this county is hilly and mountainous. The table or hill lands bordering the valleys seem to be quite fertile, and produce well when brought under cultivation. A sample of this soil is the only one yet examined from this county, and whether all will show as low percentage in potash as this is somewhat doubtful.

The mechanical separation of the soil by an elutriating apparatus gave the following result: (See page 6, No. 2.)

IV. The soil is a sandy loam and covers several sections in the foothills south of Eugene. Farther up the hills the soil becomes coarser and is underlaid with soft sandstone, which crumbles on short exposure. The vegetation is oak and wild grasses. The soil evidently has a good natural drainage and is easily worked. The dry lumps crush easily between the fingers, and the soil does not become very sticky when wet. It is a soil that has been planted to fruit considerable of late. The physical condition of the soil would seem to warrant this, but the low percentage of potash would indicate that for the best results this ingredient will be needed in a few years.

The county is abundantly supplied with streams and springs. Considerable swale land is found in some parts of the county, mainly white land, but with good drainage this can be made productive. Taking Eugene as a starting point, then going west about six miles, is a low range of hills. From here we can look north for about 24 miles over a rich prairie through which flows the Willam