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The Story of the Soil; from the Basis of Absolute Science and Real Life, by Cyril G. (Cyril George) Hopkins
page 156 of 371 (42%)

"The same type is found in Virginia to some extent. While the soil
has been run down by improper methods of culture, it has a very good
mechanical composition and is really an excellent soil; but it needs
crop rotation and more thorough cultivation to bring it back into a
high state of fertility. The farmers are slow to take up advanced
methods here in the East. We have told them what they ought to do,
but they keep right on in the same old rut."

For two hours Percy buried himself with the maps and reports.
Finally the Chief came from his inner office, and finding Percy
still there asked if he had found such information as he desired.

"I find much of interest and value, but I do not find any complete
invoice of the plant food contained in these different kinds of
soil."

"You mean an ultimate chemical analysis of the soil?" asked the
Chief.

"Yes, a chemical analysis to ascertain the absolute amount of plant
food in the soil. I think of it as an invoice; but I see that you do
not report any such analyses."

"No, we do not," answered the Chief. "We have been investigating the
mechanical composition of soils, the chemistry of the soil solution,
and the adaptation of crop to soil. We find that farmers are not
growing the crops they should grow; namely, the crops to which their
soils are best adapted. For example, they try to grow corn on land
that is not adapted to corn."
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