Elements of Soil Conservation

AUTHOR: Hugh Hammond Bennett
PUBLISHER: Biotech Books
ISBN: 9788176222037
YEAR: 2009
PAGES: 358
SIZE: 14.5 X 22.2 X 2.3 cms.
BINDING: Hard
LANGUAGE: English

ABOUT THE BOOK: Saving the soil by and for the people has been Hugh Hammond Bennett's (1881-1960) lifelong crusade. He conducted many of the early soil surveys and did research for the Federal Bureau of Soils and Us successor the Bureau of Chemistry and Soil as well as doing Conservation research work. From 1935 to 1951, he was Chief of the Soil Conservation Service in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As scientist, educator, administrator, speaker, and writer, his influence has been widespread. His sincere interest in and his deep understanding of the land and its people have taken him as adviser on soil problems to Africa, Europe, Central and South America, Alaska, and Cuba. He has justly earned the title of "The Father of Soil Conservation."

CONTENTS:
PREFACE
EDITOR'S FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION

1. The Erosion Problem in the United States
The Virgin Land of America—Rapid Settlement of the Country—Waste of Natural Resources—The Process of Soil Erosion—Soil, an Irreplaceable Resource—Losses of Plant Food—Losses of Soil—Subsoil Farming—Other Damage by Erosion—Cost of Erosion—Need for Erosion Control—Methods of Erosion Control and Water Conservation—Responsibility for Soil Defense.

2. Extent of Erosion
Public Recognition and Significant Developments— Soil Erosion Service Established—First Comprehensive Soil Conservation Act — Wide Extent and Seriousness of Erosion—Areas Affected—Seriousness from Place to Place—Some Examples of Erosion-depleted Land.

3. Effects of Erosion
Erosion and Farming Operations—Subsoil Exposed —Effect of Soil Loss on Yields—Erosion Deposits on Agricultural Land—Erosion Deposits in Reservoirs, Waterways, and Harbors—Effect of Erosion on Floods—Erosion and Water Supplies—Effect of Erosion on the Western Range—Erosion Damage to Highways and Railways—Wind Erosion—Economic and Social Consequences of Erosion—Effect on Tenancy—Effect on Taxes, Purchasing Power, Community Life, Education, Health, and Rural Youth.

4. How Erosion Takes Place
Erosion by Water—Assorting Effect of Water Erosion—Erosion by Wind-Dust Storms.

5. Rates of Erosion and Runoff
Diversity of Physical Factors Affecting Erosion and Runoff—Normal and Accelerated Rates of Erosion—Comparison of Erosion and Runoff under Contrasting Conditions of Bare and Vegetated Areas— Effect of Declivity on Erosion and Runoff under Clean Tillage—Effect of Slope Length on Erosion and Runoff—Effect of Rainfall Intensity on Erosion —Effect of Season on Soil and Water Losses—Effect of Crop Rotation on Erosion and Runoff—Effect of Cropping Practices on Erosion and Runoff—Effect of Organic Matter on Erosion and Runoff—Comparison of Grass and Forest Effect on Erosion and Runoff—Comparative Rates of Erosion and Runoff from Topsoil and Subsoil—Effect of Biological Forms on Soil and Water Conservation—Other Fac^' tors Influencing Rates of Erosion and Runoff.

6. Climate and Soil Erosion
Climatic Elements Influencing Erosion—Relation of Climate to Soil Formation and Leaching—Relation of Precipitation to Soil Erosion—Relation of Wind to Soil Erosion—Relation of Temperature to Soil Erosion—Soil Climate Can Be Changed.

7. Rainfall Penetration
What Becomes of Rainfall—Water Intake—Effect of Tillage on Intake of Rainfall—Effect of Organic Matter on Intake of Rainfall—Effect of Muddy Water on Intake of Rainfall—Methods for Increasing Intake of Rainfall—Need for Increased Soil Storage of Rainfall.

8. A National Program of Soil Conservation
Soil Conservation Denned—Work of the Soil Conservation Service — Soil and Water Conservation Demonstrations—Soil Conservation Districts—Work of Other U.S. Department of Agriculture Agencies —Work of U.S. Department of Interior Agencies— Other Agencies—The Future.

9. Planning for Conservation of Soil and Water
Basic Principles of Conservation Farming—Coordinated Plan of Erosion Control—Tools for Conservation—Making the Farm Plan—Land Capability— Group Meetings—Broad Problem Areas.

10. Use of Vegetation in Soil and Water Conservation
Crop Rotation—Strip Cropping—Protective Cover Cropping—Groups of Plants Useful for Soil Conservation, Pastures, Etc.—Legumes for Meadows or Protective Cover — Some Overlooked Vegetation Useful for Erosion Control—Grass Agriculture.

11. Contouring
The Purpose of Contouring — Field Contouring — Garden Contouring — Pasture Contouring — Range Contouring—Contouring for Flood Control.

12. Terracing
Features of Modem Field Terraces—Types of Terraces—Basic Principles in Terracing—Planning Terracing Work — Level Terraces — Cultivation of the Terrace.

13. Channels and Outlets
Natural Outlets — Mechanical Outlets — Meadow Strips — Seeding and Sodding Outlets — Protecting Outlets.

14. Gully Control
Types of Gullies—Methods of Gully Control—Diversion of Runoff—Conveying Runoff through Gullies — Artificial Rcvegetation — Stabilization with Structures.

15. Control of Erosion on Stream Banks
Economic Aspects of Stream-bank Erosion—Causes and Types of Damage — Technical Feasibility of Stream-bank Control — Stream-bank Protection — Need for Technical Assistance.

16. Water Spreading
Adaptability of Land to Water Spreading—Principles of Water Spreading—Water-spreading Structures—Methods of Spreading Water.

17. Wildlife and Soil Conservation
Cover and Feed for Wildlife—Relation of Wildlife Management to Soil Conservation—Wildlife Practices in Soil Conservation—Modification of Practices to Meet Needs of Wildlife.

18. Farm Ponds for Water Storage
Specifications—Factors Determining Location—Materials and Installation.

19. Stubble-mulch Farming
Defects in "Clean" Plowing—Stubble-mulch or Surface-mulch System of Tillage—Use of Crop Residues for Surface Mulch—Stubble Mulch and Wind Erosion—Summer Fallow and Accelerated Wind Erosion—Implements for Stubble-mulch Farming.

20. Farm Drainage
How Drainage Affects\Farm Enterprises—Field Ditches for Surface Drainage—Ditching with Machinery—Ditching with Explosives—Underdrainage—Planning a Tile Drainage System—Installing a Tile Drainage System—Draining Seepy Hillsides— Maintenance of Farm Drains.

21. Farm Irrigation
Location and Extent of Irrigation Farming—The Irrigated Farm—Source of Irrigation Water, Supply, and Public Control—Efficient Use of Irrigation Water—Land Leveling—Overhead Irrigation.

22. The Place of Trees and Shrubs in Soil and Water Conservation
Effect of Forest on Soil Erosion—Forestry in Soil and Water Conservation—Windbrraks and Shelter Belts—Tree Planting—Management of Farm Woodlands—Farmer Interest in Tree Planting—Place of Trees in Soil Conservation.

23. Upstream Flood Control
What to Do—Coordination of Flood-control Efforts—Soil Conservation an Inseparable Part of Flood Prevention—Need for Technical Skill and Detailed Treatment—Taking the Teeth Out of Floods—Basic Principles of Effective Treatment.

FIELD TRIPS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
CORRELATED LIST OF VISUAL AIDS
INDEX