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SEGMENT: SOIL & FARM-RELATED WORK

Dr. Edward Runge>LPL Interviews N-Z>LPL Interviews K-Z, Segment 6

SEGMENT: SOIL & FARM-RELATED WORK,

duration 08:03
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SOIL
Discussion of Illinois soils. Soils of central Illinois are dark, either thick layer of Loess or thin loess over Wisconsin glacial till. Latter shows a moraine in Shelbyville that marks the edge. Loess cap is about four feet deep. Gray southern soils are weathered pre-Wisconsin surface, north soils on calcium carbonate bed. Soils on acid substrate weather faster. Time is 20,000 years ago. Glaciers move slowly; they deposited things as the ice melted. Action is like volcanic action - new material, 25 per cent limestone, so fertile. Soil south of Shelbyville depleted of nutrients.
FARM-RELATED WORK
Took a sabbatical and studied loess. Composition of loess fostered the growth of bluestem grasses. Those left organic matter. Explains evapo-transportation. Went to New Zealand to study soils that had silt but no calcium carbonate. Their weathering took place immediately. Describes New Zealand's culture, people. He learned that the research worked well; children exposed to new culture, gained new colleagues.