the United States have become so severely eroded that farming
is no longer profitable. (See Plates II and IV.) Unless some
measure is taken to conserve the surface soil, other areas will
be destroyed and the prosperity of our nation seriously affected.
China faced this problem several centuries ago, but failed to
control erosion losses, with the result that much of her country
is now desolate.

 In recognition of the magnitude of soil losses facing the
American people, the National Government, through its soil con-
servation service, has undertaken to bring about sane and prac-
tical conservation measures through out each state.(2) This
service is intended to reach every rural community and educate
all classes of people regarding the basic nature of the soil and.
the importance of conserving the surface layer through better
farm practices. If the surface soil can be maintained, our nation
will be more permanent and our farm people more prosperous.

 SOIL DEPLETING CROPS
 When crops are sold from the farm, part of the plant food
in the soil is removed and eventually the soil becomes so de-
pleted that profitable crops can no longer be produced. Where
crops are thus sold from the farm they are designated as soil
depleting crops. The following crops are "soil depleting",
corn, (including broom corn and sweet corn), tobacco, cotton,
potatoes,. rice, sugar cane, commercial crops and canning crops,
(including melons, cucumbers, and strawberries), peanuts, if
harvested, grain sorghum and millet, small grains such as wheat,
oats, barley, and rye when harvested for grain or hay and soy-
beans when harvested, or any crop sold from the land.

 SOIL CONSERVING CROPS
 If the crops should be grazed, the soil is not depleted of so
much of its plant food. Such crops are known as soil conserving
crops and are so indicated as follows: Annual winter legumes,
(including vetch, winter peas and clover); perennial legumes,
(including alfalfa, kudzu, and sericea); summer legumes, (in-
(:). Graceville, Florida is the headquarters for the soil conservation
 projects in Florida. (U.S.D.A.)