This work represents a continuation of the collaboration of the Imperial Bureaux of Soil Science and Pastures and Forage Crops already seen in the publication of Bulletin 25 from Aberystwyth. Using the information collected for that Bulletin and much additional data as well, the authors have produced a comprehensive survey of the problem of soil erosion in all its aspects.
The geographical data used in Bulletin 25 are reproduced in brief in Chapters 2 to 6. Chapter 7 is devoted to a discussion of the influence of soil on erosion, and the principles and practices which are being developed for a new conservation agronomy to suit a wide range of conditions are described in Chapters 8 to 16. Pastures and herbage plants play an important part in the conservation of soil and water, and the special problems of the conservation of pastures, range and veld are discussed in Chapter 9. Both humid and semi-arid grasslands are dealt with and the contour furrow comes in for considerable praise as the possible salvation of the latter type of grassland, particularly in South and East Africa.
The concluding chapters are devoted to the economic causes and consequences of erosion, and the political and social consequences.
The book is fully illustrated by over 70 photographs, kindly supplied by correspondents all over the world.-R.O.W.