Crop yields on most Iowa soils are not low, but in many eases they are not as large as they might be if proper methods of soil treatment were employed. There is evidence, too, from decreasing yields that the soils are gradually becoming less and less productive. Apparently the time has come when attention must be directed to improving soil conditions and increasing productivity, if the land in the state is to be utilized most economically and to be kept fertile for succeeding generations.

Iowa farmers are alive to the situation and they are interested in learning how their soils should be handled and what fertilizers they should employ in order to secure more profitable crop yields. The experimental work of the Soils Section of the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station is designed to supply this information and the results which have been secured in this work now permit of certain general recommendations regarding better methods of soil management.