In connection with the Rural De m i. i.iiK-nt ])i>. mm if Cumberland county the various Federal and Hiau agricultural agencies repre ■ i med :n the county have embarked on an effort to measure the soil and land resources, and determine the long range conservation needs of the county Before the effort is completed most of the workers of the various agricultural agencies in the county as well as two Soil Con servation Service soil scientists will participate. Several weeks ago the group met . Cumberland courthouse and pre pared a generalized soil type map of the county At -tins time the county was divided into five sec • ■'ms based on soil types and types of farming. The map was sent to tin statistical department of Cornell University where an electronic 111a chine drew forty 100 acre samples representing each of the five sec tions These 100 acre blocks were outlined on aerial photographs with out regard to ownership or land use and were returned to the county. The two soil scientists. Robert Updike of Rustburg. and Charles Judy of Fincastle, are now' engaged in making detailed soil maps of the 100 acre blocks. These maps will show soil types, severity of erosion, steepness of slope and land use. When this mapping is completed, the acreages will be totaled and ex panded to represent the total acre age of the county. Specialists at Cornell University

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