FOREWORD


 This is one of the several bulletins prepared and issued by the
Department of Public Instruction in compliance with Sections
5-6 of Senate Bill No. 562 enacted by the Legislature of 1935
and relating to Courses of Instruction covering the Conserva-
tion of the Natural Resources of Florida.
 It has been planned to use the material contained in the
pamphlets in connection with the Courses in General Science,
Advanced Civics and other courses, without provision for a
separate course carrying credit, in the Conservation of Natural
Resources.

 The soil antedates even the most ancient forests. It is the
heritage of all life, the source of food, the beginning of wealth
and the basis of civilization. It is a cradle for the seed, sustenance
for the growing plant, and a grave for the dead. When the
soil loses its fertility, empires decline and nations crumble.
Truly the soil is man's most precious natural resource and
should be approached with reverence.
 Strange as it may appear, the salt of the ocean and food for
fish come directly or indirectly from soil. Although the ocean
and other bodies of water furnish a portion of man's food, this
is comparatively small, even for people living near the shores.
The greater part of man's food is grown on the soil.
 Since the land is the source of food and the basis of all
wealth, it behooves any nation whether young or old to give
serious consideration to soil conservation. This is not a new
problem. It has been practiced in a limited way by some farm-
ers in American for more than a century, and in China and
Europe for many centuries.
 The materials contained in this bulletin were prepared for
the State Department of Agriculture by Dr. 0. C. Bryan, Pro-
fessor of Soils, at the University of Florida, in the belief that
one function of the public schools is to acquaint future citizens
with important problems affecting the welfare of society. It is

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