Why we study the soil

· In the old days people knew the land very well.

They knew how to choose their fields.
They knew how to work each field.
They knew when to give their fields a rest.

· But in traditional farming, people did not produce much; they needed very little.

There were few tools.
There was little trade.
People had few needs; food was always the same, and people did not often go outside the village.

· Now people have new needs.

The number of people grows; they dress better, they eat better, and look after themselves better.
More roads are needed, more hospitals, schools, more food and clothes.

· So farming must yield more.

This means that farming techniques must change; farmers must evolve; farmers must produce more.

· To produce more food, farmers must

know their fields better;
choose their fields well;
work their fields well;
conserve and improve their fields.

All land is not the same; every piece of land has its qualities and its defects.