In humid regions practically all the cultivated slopes are sub-
ject to erosion. This may be observed in the hill region of
Northwest Florida. The soil losses from erosion are usually in
proportion to the degree of the slope of the land. In many
instances, improper management of soils with five and ten per
cent slope has resulted in the loss of the first five to six inches
of soil during one generation.


 KINDS OF EROSION

 Soil erosion is grouped under two general headings. 1. Sheet
erosion, which consists of the movement of water carrying soil
over the surface in a manner not unlike a sheet. (See Plate
III.) While this type of erosion usually is the most severe,
it is not as conspicuous and often passes unnoticed. 2. Gully
erosion, which is very destructive when once started. (See Plate
IV.) Gullies may start in a rather small and inconspicuous way
as a result of plow furrows, trails, and road ways, and within
a few seasons become so severe that the land cannot be used for
crops. Often times farm buildings are in danger and some-
times are undermined by the progressive action of gullies as
shown in Plate IV. Cotton and corn farmers should exercise
precaution in the running of rows in contours and in the use
of terraces on slopes. A management progranr that will reduce
the surface soil losses to a minimum is the most profitable prac-
tice. If this is not done, the cultivated slopes will lose their
natural fertility. While this takes place gradually, neverthe-
less it is certain and the owner will probably find his farm under
mortgage because of its inability to produce crops properly.
Such areas have poor schools and inexperienced teachers. (See
Plate V.)


 SOIL LEACHING

 Another form of soil loss, though not conspicuous, but never-
the-less serious, is known as leaching which takes the soluble
part of the soil nutrients downward with moving water. This
is a downward washing of the available soil nutrients. The loss