Major Soils Publication

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31984, 10 May 1969, Page 10

Major Soils Publication

rpHE main results of 38 years of research by the Soil Bureau of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research had now been embodied in a single reference work of Immense scientific and practical importance, the Minister of Science, Mr Taiboys, said recently. He was announcing publication of the three-volume work ’‘Soils of New Zealand.” “This is the most comprehensive work of its kind in the world,”' said the Minister. “A great deal of information on soils has been published in other countries, but New Zealand is the first to have assembled iri conveniently accessible form a detailed inventory of the characteristics of all its main soil groups. “Preparation of this work has been a major project of the Soil Bureau during the last eight years, and has involved thorough examination and re-appraisal of all knowledge ott soils gained since the Bureau was founded. ‘“Soils of New Zealand’ marks the completion of the basic survey phase of soil

science In this country, and provides a background for the next phase, in which all critical soil factors limiting production may be placed in their correct order of importance, according to the kind of soil and the intensity and value of land use.” “Soils of New Zealand” is in three parts, each taking up a whole volume.. The first deals with the origin, nature, classification, uses, requirements, and potential of New Zealand soils; Part II contains detailed, authoritative discussion of all that is known about the major soil groups; and Part 111 presents, in convenient tabular form, data on the characteristics of 54 key soils representing these groups. Among the hundreds of illustrations are colour photographs which show the struc-

ture, form, and colour of the same 54 soils to depths of two to three feet. These supplement the tabulated data by showing visually the differences by which the soils can be distinguished in the field.

Volume I is accompanied by wall-type maps of the North and South Islands—one pair of maps showing the distribution of soil groups, and another the potential of the soils for pastoral use. The three-volume form will enable users to obtain separately the part or parts required for their particular purposes.

[‘‘Soils of New Zealand” is available from Government Printing Office bookshops, or from the Soil Bureau, D.S.I.R. Volume I is priced at $5.50, Volume II at $5, and Volume 111 at $4.50. J