Who depleted New England soils?

[Guest guest]

> ... New England has the most depleted soils in the country due to

> its use over the longest period of time for one.

Hi Wanita:

The soil fertility pattern of the United States was determined by two

main climatic factors, rain and temperature, according to the soil

scientist, Albrecht. Rainfall first constructs soil fertility

but it also eventually destructs soil fertility. As you go from east

to west in the USA, annual rainfall declines across much of the

country. Thus, as Albrecht explains, the soils in the east were the

most highly weathered by rainfall, while soils west of where the

buffalo roamed received too little rainfall for soil construction,

much less soil destruction. Heat makes matters worse in soil

destruction, so the south east area of the USA had the worst soil,

not New England.

Albrecht reports how this soil fertility pattern was reflected in the

health of potential draftees in WWII, at a time when more food was

still produced and eaten locally. The tooth decay rate of potentail

draftees of and the rate of acceptance of draftees into the army were

consistent with this soil fertility pattern of the USA. More

potential draftees were suitable for service in the states with

higher soil fertility, and the highest rejection rate of 70% was in a

south eastern state.

By the way, the best soils, as Albrecht reports, were where the bison

roamed. They were only found in two areas in the eastern US.

Chi