HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOILS DEPARTMENT
IN THE FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE AT M.A.C.
AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
1906-1955
Prepared by
J.H. Ellis,
on retirement as Professor of Soils, August 31, 1955.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
Page
1
2. HISTORY OF THE INTRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE
STUDY OF SOILS
a) “Soils” as subject matter under Department of Physics
b) “Soils” as subject matter within the Department of Chemistry
c) “Soils” as subject matter under Department of Field Husbandry
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2
5
8
3. THE DEPARTMENT OF SOILS
a) The recognition of “Soils” as a scientific discipline
b) Activities and Functions of the Soils Department
(i) Research
(ii) Teaching
(iii) Service
(iv) Extension
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4. DEVELOPMENT OF SOILS DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES
a) Soil Survey and Soil Mapping
(i) Areas mapped by Systematic Reconnaissance Soil Survey
(ii) Areas mapped as Special Surveys in connection with Land
Settlement, Provincial Reclamation Projects, etc.
(iii) Areas mapped by Detailed Soil Survey
(iv) Areas covered by Preliminary and Exploratory Surveys
b) Soil Investigations and Research Projects
c) Fertilizer and Soil Fertility Projects
(i) Fertility Field Experiments at University Farm
(ii) Co-operative Fertilizer Experiments at Rural Points
d) Services
c) Extension
(i) Soil and Water Conservation Projects
(ii) Farm Forestry and Tree Culture
(iii) A Soil Extension Program for Manitoba
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14
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5. PERSONNEL
a) Experimental Plot Supervisors
b) Soil Survey and Soil Investigations
c) Office Administration
d) Teaching Staff (M.A.C. and University)
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6. PUBLICATIONS
a) Books, Booklets, Pamphlets, Bulletins, Papers
b) Publications and Papers prior to and including 1937
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FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE AT M.A.C. AND THE UNIVERSITY OF
MANITOBA
1. INTRODUCTION
When the Manitoba Agricultural College was opened, in 1906-07, the study of
“soils” as a scientific discipline was unknown. The concepts of the original members of
the teaching staff, in respect of the subject matter that should be taught at an Agricultural
College, were derived largely from their former experiences and associations with the
Ontario Agricultural College. Soils were treated only as a vaguely known medium in
which crops grow; and the land on the M.A.C. Farm, in those early days at Tuxedo, was
utilized merely as a place to grow feed for the livestock kept as specimens of breeds, (for
stock judging classes or show purposes), and in a lesser degree to supply produce for the
students’ laboratories or use in the kitchen of the students’ residence.
The subject matter and the aspects of agriculture initially emphasized are
indicated by the following list of departments and staff as published in the M.A.C.
Gazette Vol. 1 No. 1 March 1908. p 26.
Three professors, i.e.;
W.J. Black
Principal and Professor of Field Husbandry
W.J. Rutherford
Professor of Animal Husbandry
W.J. Carson
Professor of Dairying
Six lecturers, i.e.;
F.W. Broderick
Lecturer in Horticulture, Forestry and Entomology
J.A. Hand
Lecturer in Field Husbandry
G.G. White
Lecturer in Chemistry and Physics
G.A. Sproule
Lecturer in English and Mathematics
A.R. Greig
Lecturer in Mathematics and Engineering
F. Torence
Lecturer in Veterinary Science
It is obvious therefore that in the initial classes at the M.A.C. crops, livestock, and
livestock products were featured; and except for some reference to plant nutrition in the
1
Chemistry lectures, and to some phases of soil management in the Field Husbandry
lectures, the study of soils as a natural object, or of soil science as a scientific discipline,
were not included as essentials in the curriculum.
In the ensuing years, and with the growth of the Institution, there was the
inevitable enlargement of subject matter taught in all departments; new staff were added;
the outlook of the staff broadened; new departments were formed; and new concepts of
the function of the Institution were developed.
2. HISTORY OF THE INTRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE STUDY OF
SOIL
The history of the introduction and development of the study of soils in the
Faculty of Agriculture is of interest, not only from the standpoint of the history of the
Faculty as a whole, but also because of the impact made on the University and the
Province at large by the Soils Department that ultimately came into being.
The earliest attempts to introduce and develop the study of soils at the M.A.C.
were more or less sporadic and abortive, diverse in origin, and circumscribed by division
of interest.
(a) “Soils” as Subject Matter Under the Department of Physics
After the first two years on the Tuxedo site with classes taught by the staff noted
above, F.G. Churchill (B.S.A., Iowa) was appointed as lecturer in Soil Physics and
Mathematics in the fall of 1908. Following the appointment of “Bud” Churchill as
lecturer, and later as Professor of Soil Physics, a limited of what would now be called
“Soils” subject matter was taught in “two small rooms of the Old Administration
Building”.
The sessions at that time consisted of a “fall term” from late October to the
Christmas holidays, and a “spring term” from January to the end of March. The “soil
2
physics” courses taught to the Diploma students consisted, in the first year, of two
lectures per week on the origin, formation and agricultural classification of soils, and two
lectures on soil management per week, in the second year, with one period of laboratory
exercises dealing with the water retaining capacity, the capillary movement of soil
moisture, the effect of mulches, etc.
At that time, all students in first and second year were in the Diploma classes, but
after completion of the Diploma course, three additional years of study could be
undertaken and a student could qualify for a Degree in Agriculture.
During these three years of degree work, the Soil Physics Department gave
certain courses in physics (heat, magnetism, and electricity) and the following courses in
“soils” and in allied subject matter:
Third Year . . . . Geology – ½ course; Meteorology – ½ course
Fourth Year . . . . Climatology – ½ course; Drainage – ½ course
FifthYear . . . . . . Advanced Soil Physics and Soil Seminar
This regime continued on the Tuxedo site from 1908 to the spring of 1913, when,
because it had outgrown the initial site, the M.A.C. was moved to a new location in Fort
Garry. Here with new buildings and equipment, and with a much larger acreage of land, a
number of changes were made.
When the first classes entered the new building at Fort Garry, in the fall of 1913,
S.C. Lee was appointed Professor of a newly formed Department of “Applied Physics”
with offices and laboratory on the second floor of the Chemistry and Physics Building,
and the Soil Physics Department under Professor Churchill, now relieved of the classes in
physics and mathematics, was established in the first floor and basement rooms of the
same building.
It is of interest to record that at this time the laboratory classes in physical
properties and mechanical analysis of soils, on the new site, were provided with “soil”
and “subsoil” samples obtained from various parts of the Province during the tour of the
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“Better Farming Special” train in the summers of 1912 and 1913. This apparently was
the first attempt to collect materials for the study of Manitoba soils.
A further point of interest undertaken in 1913-14-15 by Professor F.G. Churchill
(with R. O. Hughes as student assistant) was the work in tile draining certain areas
adjacent to the buildings on the Fort Garry site. Much of this land was being cleared and
plowed on the new site was flat and imperfectly drained. Some 17,000 feet of tile were
installed in 1913, and an additional 6,000 feet of tile were laid in 1914. These were
supplemented by other installations in 1915. During these years, the Soil Physics
Department offered technical assistance in surveying and draining farm lands on request,
but farm operators apparently did not respond as expected. Some fertilizer and liming
trials also were initiated on one of the farm fields by Professor Churchill but there are no
records of the results.
This attempt to develop a Soil Physics Department came to an abrupt end with the
resignation of Professor F.G Churchill, who returned to Iowa to engage in soils extension
work. Immediately this occurred, the Department of Applied Physics took over the space
occupied by the Soil Physics Department; and in addition to continuing the teaching of
physics and mathematics, and keeping the meteorological records, the Department of
Applied Physics took over the physical equipment in the Soils Laboratory. However, the
surveying and drainage instruments and field equipment of the Soil Physics Department
were taken over by Professor L.J. Smith of the Agricultural Engineering Department and
the course in “Surveying and Drainage” was taught subsequently by “Ag Engineering”.
Thus ended the first attempt to develop, with a physics bias, a soils department at M.A.C.
It should be recorded, however, that the M.A.C. Department of Physics continued for
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some years under Professor W.A. Thomson, who not only continued the meteorological
observations normally made at first class recording stations but also, in1929, installed a
net of thermometers in the ground, 100 feet south of the Chemistry and Physics Building
at surface, 4”, 10”, 20”, 40”, 66”, 9 feet and 15 feet depths. Galvanometer readings by
means of thermocouples extending through leads into the basement of the Chemistry and
Physics Building were recorded every week, for over three years, by Charlie Gibson who
acted as official meteorological observer. A report of the valuable pioneer soil
temperature project was published by Professor W.A. Thomson after he left the
institution and after M.A.C. Physics Department and it equipment were absorbed by the
University Department of Physics. (W.A. Thomson, 1934. Soil Temperatures at
Winnipeg. Sci. Agric. Vol. XV, p 209-217.)
b) Soils as subject matter with in the Department of Chemistry
A new concept of soils was introduced to M.A.C. by A.J. Galbraith who was
appointed Associate Professor of Chemistry in the fall of 1915, and who later became
Head of the M.A.C. Chemistry Department. As a former member of the Chemistry
Department at O.A.C., Professor A.J. Galbraith took some training with the U.S. Soil
Survey and became particularly interested in chemistry as applied to soils, and also,
while at O.A.C., initiated some preliminary soil survey work in Ontario. He was able to
persuade the Provincial Ministry of Agriculture that study should be made of Manitoba
soils, and in the summers of 1917 and 1918, financed by the Manitoba Department of
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Agriculture, he made a number of road traverses by car to examine soils in the southern
portion of the Province. He used colored pencils to delineate, on the map, the soil types
noted along the road traversed, and recorded in a note book (and in the style then in
vogue in the U.S. Bureau of Soils) the profiles of the soil types observed.
Unfortunately, Professor A.J. Galbraith’s duties as head of the Chemistry
Department under war time conditions, and as Officer-Commanding the M.A.C.
company of the University C.O.T.C., together with the lack of any assistant in the soil
survey work undertaken, made it impossible for him to complete the soil map or put his
findings in the form of permanent records before his untimely death in the influenza
epidemic of 1918-19. Nevertheless, to Professor A.J. Galbraith of the M.A.C. Chemistry
Department must go the credit of introducing the concept of a Manitoba Soil Survey, for
the inspiration he gave and for the interest in soils which he aroused in at least one of his
students, and for the enlarged vision the M.A.C. staff acquired from associating with him.
He was succeeded as Head of the Chemistry Department by Dr. C.B. Clevenger
who had acquired the Hopkins’ concept of soils as a graduate student at the University of
Illinois. However no further attempt was made to follow up the soil survey work initiated
by Professor A.J. Galbraith until, in 1921, an agricultural survey was undertaken at the
instigation of John Bracken shortly after his appointment as President of M.A.C.
This agricultural survey was undertaken in an attempt to obtain a comprehensive
picture of agriculture in Manitoba. (J.H. Ellis, 1922. “Agronomic Conditions as Revealed
by the Agricultural Survey 1921.” Proc. Western Can. Soc. of Agronomy. 1922) Three
teams, made up of M.A.C. staff members, undertook this survey.
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Armed with extensive questionnaire forms, the teams made a complete farm-to-farm
survey in a selected township, and a random sampling of farms in the remaining portion
of certain municipalities. It was intended that 15 municipalities, distributed over the
province, should be covered by this survey, but in only 14 municipalities was the work
actually completed, i.e.
(i) Swan River, Gilbert Plains, Ste. Rose du Lac, Russell, and Rosedale
(ii) North Cypress, Glenwood, Argyle, and the north half of Edward, Arthur and
Brenda
(iii) Stanley, Morris, Portage la Prairie, Ericksdale, and Whitemouth.
Each of these three agricultural survey parties consisted of one representative
from the Field Husbandry Department, one from the Animal Husbandry Department, and
three member selected from various other departments of the College. Their assignment
was to obtain data about the farms, the farmsteads, and the farm families in the assigned
areas. However Dr. C.B. Clevenger of the Chemistry Department, (assisted at various
times by W.F. Geddes and W.J. Parker) was assigned the task of making soil maps of the
14 municipalities. Six soil maps only were completed. These covered the municipalities
of Hamiota, Argyle, Portage-la-Prairie, Stanley, North Cypress, and the south half of
Arthur-Brenda. The map unit separations used in this survey were based on the observed
textural classes of the surface soils. (Copies of these maps are included in a publication
entitled “ Charts and maps accompanying the Progress Report on the Manitoba
Agricultural Survey 1921” on file in the University and Provincial Libraries.)
At the request of the Chemistry Department, the M.A.C. Physics Department cooperated in this project by making mechanical analyses of representative surface soil
samples as a check on the field observations and estimates of texture. In the progress of
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this survey, soil samples (A, “surface soil”, 0-6 2/3”, B, “subsurface soil” 6 2/3 – 20”,
and C, “Subsoil”, 20-40”) were obtained. Analyses of a number of these samples for total
nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium, were made in the M.A.C. Chemistry
Department Laboratories, the data thus obtained are now preserved in the files of the
Manitoba Soil Survey. With the completion of the Agricultural Survey, and the
liquidation of the appropriate funds, Dr. C.B. Clevenger returned to the United States and
soil survey work was discontinued. Thus ended the attempts at M.A.C. to study the soils
of Manitoba within the Department of Chemistry.
(c) “Soils” as Subject Matter in the Department of Field Husbandry:
It was noted in the introduction that members of the original staff of the M.A.C.
paid little attention to soils, and that the farm fields, on the Tuxedo site, were under the
jurisdiction of the Field Husbandry staff which, at that time, acted as a service department
to produce feed and pasture for the Animal husbandry Department. With the appointment
of S.A. Bedford as Professor of Field Husbandry in 1908, some specimen plants were
grown for class identification, but no serious attempts were made to organize
experimental station projects on the farm fields. It should be recognized that the limited
acreage of land on the Tuxedo site was an inhibiting factor.
When the first class of degree students graduated in 1911, T.J. Harrison was
appointed as Assistant to Professor S.A. Bedford, and was put in charge of “clearing and
breaking” the land on the site selected in Fort Garry as the new home for the M.A.C.
After two seasons of this pioneering work, T.J. Harrison accepted the position of
Superintendent of the Indian Head Experimental Farm, and in 1912 Professor S.A.
Bedford was succeeded by Professor L.A. Moorehouse as Head of the Field Husbandry
Department.
On moving from the Tuxedo site to the University of Manitoba in 1913-14,
Professor L.A. Moorehouse decided that some field experimental work should be
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initiated. In the spring of 1914, and under the care and management of J.H. Ellis (a first
year student who had previous experience on the Brandon Experimental Farm) an area in
the field west of the Chemistry and Physics Building (Buller Bldg) was laid out in five
ranges of 24 plots, one-twentieth acre in size, and one range of 24 plots, one fortieth in
size. In addition, seven one acre plots, located immediately west of Regina Crescent,
were put under a crop rotation designed by Professor S.A. Bedford as a co-operative
project with the Department of Agriculture.
The experimental plots which were sown to crop adaptation and variety tests can
be considered the first field experimental station projects undertaken at the M.A.C. The
appearance of these plots, near the buildings, so impressed Principal W.J. Black that
when T.J. Harrison returned in the following season as Head of the Field Husbandry
Department, he was given official blessing to expand experimental work on the college
fields.
In 1915 the experimental area was extended to include all the land between
Regina Crescent and the College buildings, and here, in addition to crop adaptation and
crop improvement projects, soil and crop management experiments were undertaken.
Under Professor T.J. Harrison, the Field Husbandry Department developed
rapidly as a unique organization with various subdivisions. By 1918, these subdivisions
consisted of:
(i) Cereal Breeding and Improvement under Professor W.T.G. Wiener (who
succeeded A.R. Judson and J. Bridge);
(ii) Forage Crop Breeding and Improvement under Professor W. Southworth;
(iii) Soil and crop management under J.H. Ellis, who after serving as student
assistant and plot foreman for the four summers of his undergraduate years, was
appointed to the staff as Experimentalist and Lecturer in Soil Management; and
(iv) The College Farm under T. Lloyd, farm foreman.
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In the early 1920’s the area under the experimental station work of Cereal and
Forage Crop Improvement, and of Soil and Crop Management experiments, increased
until it included; half of the park field east of the gardens; the Barn field; all the land
north of the centre road between the buildings and Pembina Highway south of the centre
road, that later was put at the disposal of the Dominion Rust Laboratory.
It is significant to note, however, that during the period from 1919 to 1926, a
change in emphasis took place in the Soil and Crop Management section of the Field
Husbandry Department under J.H. Ellis. The spade work in crop management was
gradually discontinued but soil fertility and soil management projects were extended and
enlarged.
In 1919 the long term experiments were laid down on the Fertility Field (Field 6).
Other experiments in methods of fallow and stubble management, fallow substitutes, and
in depths of plowing, etc., were carried out on four ranges west of the Fertility Field
(Field 8); and methods of breaking grass and legume sod were undertaken on the six
ranges lying between the Fertility Field and Regina Crescent (Field 4). Soil Management
and fertility experiments also were initiated at country points, the most important of
which were investigations into the fertility and management of peat lands at Balmoral
and Matlock in 1922-23-24.
In the summer of 1926, members of the M.A.C. staff were requested by the
Provincial Premier to undertake a survey of the unused lands of Manitoba. In this
connection, J.H. Ellis undertook the field inspection of the soils involved, and became
responsible for the soils data included in the published report. (Unused lands of
Manitoba, 1926, published by Manitoba Department of Agriculture.)
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The period in which “Soils and Soil Management” project continued to develop
within the Field husbandry Department may be considered to have its climax in 1927. In
that year, (and following the death of Professor S.C. Lee of the M.A.C. Physics
Department) the soils laboratories and offices in the Chemistry and Physics building
were turned over to J.H. Ellis who co-ordinated and combined the teaching of soils with
the soil management work under what, at first, was designated as the Soils division of the
Agronomy Department. The Soils Division which thus came into being was housed in the
Chemistry and Physics building, and was in reality administered as a new and
independent unit; and although for some years it was integrated as a section or division of
the Agronomy Department for budget purposes, its importance and independence were
recognized when, in 1937, it was accorded the status of a Department in the Faculty of
Agriculture.
The Soils Department continued to be housed in the Chemistry and Physics
building until 1949, when it was moved to its (present) location in a newly reconditioned
building originally constructed and used as a beef cattle barn, but now one of the
attractive units on the Agricultural Boulevard.
3. THE DEPARTMENT OF SOILS
(a) The Recognition of “Soils” as a Scientific Discipline
The Soils Department of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Manitoba,
as it now exists, had its beginnings in the Soils Division of 1927. It was conceived and
developed by J.H. Ellis who, as a junior student under Professor F.G. Churchill, and as a
senior student under Professor A.J. Galbraith, had been exposed to the concepts of soils
as expounded during the Soil Physics and Soil Chemistry regimes, and who had shared in
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and developed the more practical aspects of soil management experiments, fertilizer
trails, and land use studies carried out under the Field Husbandry regime. These
experiences were topped by graduate studies at the University of Minnesota, and by
attendance at the First International Congress of Soil Science in Washington, D.C. in
1927. From this background of experience was derived the concept that the study of soils
is not a side-line or appendage to be attached to the department of physics, chemistry or
agronomy; but that soils are distinct and specific natural objects, the study of which at the
University level, is a scientific discipline (i.e. Pedology or Soil Science) involving as
tools the use of physics, chemistry, biology and climatology; and that the use and
management of soils (i.e. soil cultivation, soil reclamation and soil conservation)
constitutes Soil Technology, which together with Soil Classification and Cartography
have both scientific and technical aspects, all of which together with Soil Physics, Soil
Chemistry, Soil biology, Soil Fertility, Soil Genesis and Morphology, are included in the
field and scope of Soil Science.
(b) Activities and Functions of the Soils Department
The activities undertaken by Professor J.H. Ellis in the development of the
Soils Department were based on the concept of Soil Science (outlined above) and on the
belief that the Soils Department, as a unit in a faculty of a provincial University, had four
main functions to perform, i.e. (i) Research, (ii) Teaching, (iii) Service, and (iv)
Extension.
(i) Research: Professor Ellis believed that in Manitoba, where so little was known
of the soils of the Province, that the first function of the Department was, and is, to
ascertain the facts about Manitoba soils and their problems, and to serve the University
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and the Province both as a repository of such knowledge and as a place of research in the
field of Soil Science. This involves the preservation of information inherited from the
past, integrated with that acquired in the present, and vitalized through use by staff
members; who, having first armed themselves with the known, diligently strive (“with
seeing eye and understanding mind”) to penetrate the unknown, and thus, by further
acquisitions, add to the sum of knowledge. It was believed that only by this combination
of study and research could the Soils Department fulfill its function of preserving the best
from the past, of inspiring and leading the present, and of bequeathing to the future a
richer and more useful legacy.
(ii) Teaching: It was believed that the second function of the Department was, and
is, that it must provide for the educational needs of those who come to the Institution for
study; to inspire the high ideals and a love of the soil in the students; and to be on the
lookout for, and to give encouragement to, those who are in search of truth, and who can
be inspired to press back the darkness of ignorance by extending and widening the circle
of light.
(iii) Service: The third function of the Department was, and is, to render technical
and advisory service to the citizens and the government from which the Institution
derives support. Service involves the giving of help to those who come to the Institution
for consultation, or who bring problems that may require technical assistance for the
solution of such problems.
(iv) Extension: The fourth function of the Department involves the extending of
education and inspiration (through various channels and as opportunity provides) to those
who cannot or do not come to the Institution for information such as the Department can
give and for which the country is in need.
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4. Development of Soils Department Activities
(a) Soil Survey and Soil Mapping:
In the fall of 1927 and in the summer of 1928 the systematic study and mapping
of Manitoba soils as a major project was initiated by J.H. Ellis assisted by W.H. Shafer.
The initial project undertaken was the reconnaissance soil survey of an area west of the
Red River and north of the International Boundary. This early Soil Survey was financed
by M.A.C. funds as a Soils Division project. However, in 1929, the interest of Dr. E.S.
Archibald was secured with the result that support was provided for a second survey
party through a grant in aid from the Dominion Experimental Farms, Ottawa. This
permitted two student trainees to be added to the staff for the summer period. Thus by the
fall of 1930 some one and one-quarter million acres (or 54 townships) were mapped by
reconnaissance soil survey in the Central Lowland area of the Lake Agassiz basin. The
following year a boundary was drawn enclosing the area containing soils similar to those
mapped in the Red River area. A detailed survey also was made of the soils developed on
the boulder till deposits of four townships in the Newdale area. Unfortunately this initial
co-operation with the Dominion Experimental Farms was discontinued due to the
financial difficulties which caused national and provincial retrenchments in the early
1930’s.
Although both the detailed and systematic reconnaissance soil surveys had to be
discontinued temporarily, in 1932, nevertheless the study of Manitoba soils and their
problems was continued insofar as reduced staff and finances permitted. In 1933 a small
grant was solicited and obtained from the Provincial Department of Agriculture to carry
out an investigation of soil and drought conditions in south western Manitoba. A report of
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this investigation (Ellis, J.H. and Shafer, W.H. 1933. Crop history and crop outlook in
the Melita area. Man Dept of Agric.) was submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and
led to the appointment of a Special Committee (Special Committee, 1935. “An
Agricultural Program for South Western Manitoba.” Man. Dept. of Agric.) to outline an
agricultural program for this area in light of the findings of the soil and drought survey.
From this time forward the Provincial Department of Agriculture continuously
supported and supplied funds for “Soil Survey and Soil Investigations” as an activity of
the Manitoba Department of Agriculture.
The climatic drought of the 1930s (Ellis, J.H.; Shafer, W.H., and Caldwell, C.G.
1936. The recent drought situation in South Western Manitoba. Sci. Agric. Vol 16, p 478488.) which extended over the grassland region of Western Canada, finally reached the
proportions of a national calamity and caused the Federal Government to take action. The
Federal “Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Act (P.F.R.A.) was passed in 1935, under which
funds were provided to aid the provinces in the rehabilitation of prairie farms. It was
recognized that a knowledge of the soils in the drought area was essential to any logical
planning of PFRA reclamation projects, and PFRA funds were approved to re-establish
and enlarge Federal assistance formerly given for soil survey but with the provision that
the enlarged work be carried out in the drought area. (A limited amount of Federal
assistance for soil survey had been extended previously, as noted, to Manitoba and
Saskatchewan, and then discontinued, but assistance through P.F.R.A. funds, in1935,was
extended to all three provinces – Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.)
The Federal support of the soil survey activities in Manitoba continued until the
appropriation for this work was transferred to the Dominion Experimental Farms budget.
Thus, although funds could not be obtained from the University, the soil survey became
organized within and under the direction of the Soils Department of the University, but
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financed and supported by the Canada Department of Agriculture, and the Manitoba
Department of Agriculture, as a joint co-operative project. This co-operative enterprise,
under the direction of the Soils Department, has been an outstanding example of the
harmonious and efficient manner in which Federal, Provincial and University efforts can
be co-ordinated and combined to achieve a common objective.
After the soil survey of the “Drought Area” in Manitoba was completed, the
reconnaissance soil survey continued with the objective of covering the remaining
organized portion of the Province. The systematic work, however, was slowed down
during the war years by loss of survey staff to the armed services. It also was interrupted,
at various times, by urgent demands for information concerning the suitability of
different virgin and unorganized areas for agricultural use or soldier settlement projects.
For this purpose, special surveys were required and had to be given priority. Summary
reports and soil maps of these areas, on completion, were submitted to the Lands Branch
and the Department of Agriculture. On the basis of these surveys the officials concerned
were enabled to plan, more intelligently, the settlement of land use policies ultimately
adopted.
In addition, detailed soil surveys were requested and made of all Dominion
Experimental Farms and Illustration Stations in Manitoba.
The areas mapped by the staff of the Manitoba Soil Survey, up to and including
the season of 1955 are summarized in tabular form as follows:
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(i) Areas mapped by Systematic Reconnaissance Soil Survey
(1) South Western Map Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2) South Central Map Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3) Virden Map Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4) Carberry – Portage Map Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5) Red River Area – I. Winnipeg Map Sheet . . . . . . . . . .
(6) Red River Area – II. Morris Map Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . .
(7) Rossburn Area Map Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(8) Grandview Area Map Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(9) Armstrong Municipality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(10) Swan River Area Map Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(11) West Lake Area Map Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(12) Ste Rose du Lac Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(13) Julius Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(14) The Pas, Carrot River Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acres
1,774,000
2,419,200
1,774,080
2,419,200
1,774,080
1,774,080
1,656,800
1,445,167
155,645
921,600
1,473,000
225,800
380,160
135,320
18,328,212
(ii) Areas Mapped as Special Surveys in Connection with Land
Settlement, Provincial Reclamation Projects, etc.
(1) Ellice – Archie Community Pasture Project
(included in (i)) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2) Spruce Forest Reserve and its environs
(included in (i)) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3) Birch River Settlement Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4) Catfish Creek Reclamation Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5) Washow Bay Reclamation Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(6) South Eastern Manitoba (Exploratory) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(7) Renwer Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Less Area included in (i) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
184,320
967,680
34,240
122,800
73,760
871,520
11,200
2,265,520
1,152,000
1,113,520
Total of (i) + (ii) = 18,328,212 + 1,113,520 =
Reconnaissance & Special Survey Areas =
17
19,441,732
(iii) Areas Mapped by Detailed Survey
Dominion Experimental and Illustration Stations located at
Morden, Brandon, Goodlands, Ashern, Lenswood, Durban,
Dugald, Lyleton, Boissevain, Pipestone, Hargrave, Silverton,
Grandview, Arborg, Morris and Katrime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,245 acres
Four townships, Newdale Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92,160 acres
---------99,405 acres
Detailed maps of individual farms made in connection with
land use and erosion problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . not calculated
(iv) Areas Covered by Preliminary and Exploratory Surveys
Exploratory surveys of an undetermined acreage in otherwise inaccessible
portions of Northern Manitoba were made by aircraft, canoe and railway gas-car
traverse. One direct result of this work was the establishment of a Dominion
Experimental Sub-Station at Wabowden to study the possibilities and limitations
crop production and agricultural development in the so-called Northern Clay Belt.
(b) Soil Investigations and Research Projects:
In connection with the soil survey, both chemical and physical analyses were
made of the most important soil types established, and, from time to time, an additional
number of field and laboratory investigations of soil problems were undertaken. A few of
these may be listed to indicate the nature of such projects:
“The use of alfalfa to reduce flooding in the Red River Valley soils.”
“The effect of fertilizers on the composition and rate of intake of nutrients by
wheat plants.”
“The occurrence of magnesium solonetz soils in the Red River Valley.”
“The fractionation of soil organic matter.”
18
“The effect of grasses, alfalfa, and fertilizers on the protein content of wheat.”
“Soil structures in the Red River soil association, and their modification under
culture.”
“Studies of Pedological processes in Manitoba soils.”
“Halomorphism in Manitoba soils.”
“Causes of nitrate contamination of ground water occurring locally in the
Neepawa-Langruth areas.”
“Molybdenum is soils, forage crops, and water supply in the Swan River Valley.”
“Mineral analyses of Manitoba hay samples.” Etc.
(c) Fertilizer and Soil Fertility Projects:
(i) Fertility Field Experiments at University Farm
Despite the drastic retrenchment imposed on all agricultural departments when the
University moved to the Fort Garry site, the long-time experiments laid down on the
Fertility Field at the University in 1919 were maintained.
The experiments on this field involved the management and documentation of
over 1,000 plots. In addition to supplying staff with authoritative information and
providing data for student courses in soil management, these experiments have
contributed greatly to the fertilizer and soil management recommendation made by the
Manitoba Fertilizer Board and disseminated by the Extension Service. They also proved
invaluable in stimulating interest and respect in those who visited the Institution at times
when, for various reasons, other portions of University property were not as attractive as
could be desired.
(ii) Co-operative Fertilizer Experiments at Rural Points
Prior to the fertilizer trials conducted by the Soils Division at Matlock and
Balmoral in 1922-23-24, there was little or no interest in the use of fertilizers in
Manitoba. In1928 the Department of Agriculture was supplied with a quantity of
19
phosphate fertilizer, in powder form, by the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Co., for
trial by broadcast application on a limited number of farms. The results were
unsatisfactory and were not encouraging.
The most important and epoch making experiments in rural Manitoba, however,
were the Junior Co-operator Fertilizer Trials, initiated and supervised by the Soils
Division during1929-30-31, but with co-operation and financial support of the Manitoba
Pool Elevators. This co-operation was secured through the influence of its President, Mr.
Colin H. Burnell.
These trials consisted of applying nitrogen, phosphate, and potash fertilizers,
alone and in combination, by hand, and in drills, below seed wheat planted in replicated
rod rows. Because the Pool Elevators organization undertook to provide a junior cooperator (age 14 to 24) at each point where there was a Pool elevator, a good coverage of
the grain growing portion of the province was secured.
The results were highly satisfactory and of historic interest because the practice of
drilling in small quantities of fertilizer with seed, thus introduced by these trials, may be
classed as one of the most important contributions to crop production on the soils of
Western Canada. (J.H. Ellis, 1938. “Fertilization of dry soils in Canada.” F.I.T.A. 1er
Congres Inertnational des Engrais Chemiques. Rome. Oct. 1938.) Not only did these
trials show that the application of phosphate fertilizer to cereals in the grassland region
must be by drilling in with the seed, instead of by the broadcast method formerly
practiced in experimental trials, but they indicated the kind of fertilizers regionally
required, (J.H. Ellis, 1934. “Zonation for fertilizer requirements of the Northern Prairies.”
Sci. Agric. Vol 13, Pages 96-109.) and influenced the formulating of the fertilizers
ultimately manufactured and used in the plains region.
Other co-operative experiments conducted by the Soils Department provided
additional data which was valuable in formulating the Fertilizer Recommendations
outlined for the different soil zones in Manitoba.
20
Number
of co-operators
Date
Fertilizer Experiments at Rural Points
1922
1922-23
1924
Peat Experiment – Grasses and Alfalfa
2
St. Andrews Bog
Peat Experiments – Clover and Grasses
1
Matlock
Burnt Peat Experiment
1
Balmoral
Peat Experiment - Clover, Alfalfa, Grasses
1
Matlock
Sugar Beet and Fertilizer Trials – Numerous experiments prior to establishment of Manitoba Sugar Co.
Junior Co-operators’ Fertilizer Trials –Wheat – 1929
105
Grain Growing Area
- 1930
101
“
“
“
- 1931
70
“
“
“
Fertilizer trials – Alfalfa
10
Grunthal
Fertilizer trials – Alfalfa and Mixed Grasses
1
Selkirk
Fertilizer trials – Corn
1
Dunedin Dairy Farm
C.S.G.A. Fertilizer Trials – Wheat
4
4 points
Co-operative Trials – Wheat, Oats, Barley
154
20 points
Co-operative Trials – Potatoes
5
4 points
Manitoba Horticultural Society – Potatoes
7
5 points
Fertilizer Trials – Clover Seed
1
Dryden
Fertilizer Trials – Wheat
1
Morden Exp. Farm
Fertilizer Trials – Wheat
67
67 points
Green House Studies – Chlorosis and Soil Fertility
Fertilizer Trials – Potatoes
3
Birds Hill & Stonewall
Fertilizer Trials – Potatoes
4
Carman
Provincial Fertilizer Trials – Wheat, Oats, Barley
38
27 points
Fertilizer Trials – Wheat
8
Dauphin
Fertilizer Trials – Wheat
7
Portage
Fertilizer Trials – Wheat, Oats
7
Swan River
Fertilizer Trials – Wheat
3
Teulon
Fertilizer Trials – Potatoes
4
2 points
Fertilizer Trials – Timothy & Timothy and Clover
1
Whitemouth
Cont…
1924-39
1929-30-31
1929
1930
1931
1931-37
1931
1932
21
Points or Areas
Date
Fertilizer Experiments at Rural Points
Number
of co-operators
Fertilizer Trials – Hay
1
Fertilizer Trials – Wheat and Oats
11
Fertilizer Trials – Wheat
3
Fertilizer Trials – Barley
1
1934
Fertilizer Trials – Wheat
31
Fertilizer Trials – Alfalfa
1
Fertilizer Trials – Grasses
5
Fertilizer Trials – Native Hay & Alfalfa
4
1935-37
Peat Experiments – Hay
1
1935-38
Peat Experiments – Hay
1
1936
Fertilizer Experiment – Barley
1
1936-37-38-39Grass Mixtures on Peat
5
1937-38
Timothy Sod on Peat
1
1939
Agricultural Representative Fertilizer Trials – Wheat
11
1940
Agricultural Representative Fertilizer Trials – Wheat
15
1941
Agricultural Representative Fertilizer Trials – Wheat, Oats & Barley4
1942
Agricultural Representative Fertilizer Trials – Barley
3
1949
Fertilizer Trials – Barley
2
1949-50
Fertilizer Trials – Hay
3
1932-33-34
1933
22
Points or Areas
Erinview
Swan River
Teulon
Whitemouth
Teulon
Virden
Arborg
Arborg
Arborg
Arborg
Inwood
5 points
Marchand
11 points
15 points
2 points
3 points
Oakville
La Broquerie
Subsequently, the co-operative fertilizer trials and demonstrations at rural points
were carried out and financed as projects under the Manitoba Fertilizer Board, which was
appointed by the Provincial Department of Agriculture. However, the threshing of square
yard samples from these trials, the tabulation and statistical evaluation of the data, and the
preparation of annual reports of this work were carried out in the Soils Department by Dr.
R.A. Hedlin who acted as Secretary to the Working Committee of the Fertilizer Board.
(d) Services
Throughout its history the Soils Department has served the public in many ways.
One important service has been the examination of soil samples sent in, with requests for
information, by farmers, gardeners, and others. Such qualitative tests were made on these
samples, in the Soils Laboratories, as were necessary to indicate the problems involved.
From the information thus obtained, together with related information secured through
the Soil Survey and co-operative fertilizer trials, the Department was enabled to forward
advice in respect of the soil management practices indicated. This service incidentally
supplied the Soils Department with additional information concerning Manitoba soil
problems.
From time to time, members of the staff served on many provincially appointed
committees and were in demand for consultation at the Institution by farmers, rural
appraisers, government officials, and others in connection with soil problems in which
they were interested.
A further service rendered by the Soils Department involved the replies to
correspondence from farm operators, agricultural representatives, extension workers and
others. These communications as well as telephone calls for information were duly
answered as routine work.
23
These and other services were freely given, and were the means not only of
bringing the workers in the Soils Department in closer contact with Manitoba citizens in
town and country but, over the years, have played a not insignificant part in securing the
goodwill of the public for the Faculty of Agriculture, and of government support for the
University.
(e) Extension:
Through the years the Soils Department has been established, the Agricultural
Extension Service (which originally was started as a department of M.A.C.) has been
administered and directed as a branch of the Provincial Department of Agriculture.
Consequently, activities by members of the Soils Department in co-operation with the
Extension Service were largely dependent upon such requests as were made, by the
Director of Extension, for speakers at farm meetings, short courses, and conventions, for
educational exhibits, and for co-operative activities with agricultural representatives.
However, apart from such activities, and the harmonious relationship that always existed
between the Extension Service and the Department of Soils, three specific contributions
should be recorded to the credit of the Soils Department.
(i) Soil and Water Conservation Projects:
As a follow-up of problems revealed by the soil survey, soil conservation and
water erosion projects were initiated by the Soils Department. With the aid of soils
survey staff, technical assistance was given to farmers in the Alexander and Turtle
Mountain districts. However, this work was turned over to Mr. J.M. Parker in 1946,
when, after first serving with the Soil Survey and then with the armed services, he was
appointed Soil Extension Specialist with the Department of Agriculture. Later when the
24
Soils and Crops Branch was organized by the Department of Agriculture, with J.M.
Parker as Director, the soil conservation work was extended and enlarged; but the Soils
Department continued to extend technical assistance to this work as and when requested.
An additional project developed by the Soils Department in co-operation with the
Soils and Crops Branch, was a demonstration of combined flood control and drainage of
clay soils on the flat topography of the Red River Plain.
(ii) Farm Forestry and Tree Culture:
From a study made of soil problems and the use of trees for soil conservation
purposes, a program of farm forestry and tree culture was prepared and outlined for the
prairie and aspen grove regions of Manitoba. This extensive outline (Ellis, J.H., Gill,
C.B., and Broderick, F.W. 1945. “Farm Forestry and Tree Culture Projects for the NonForested regions of Manitoba.” Advisory Committee on Woodlots and Shelterbelts.
Government of Manitoba. 1946) became the guide or “blue-print” for the tree planting
and field shelterbelt activities undertaken by the Soils and Crops Branch of the
Department of Agriculture.
(iii) A Soils Extension Program for Manitoba:
On the basis of the facts revealed by the Soil Survey and of many years of
experience in soil activities, a summary (Ellis, J.H. 1950. “ A Summary of the Soil
Conservation Problems and of Soil Conservation Activities Required for Specific Areas
in Manitoba.” Proc. Man. Agronomists Conference. 1950 pages (i-viii).) was prepared
which outlined the more important soil problems, the areas or districts involved, and the
soil conservation projects required meet the respective problems in the organized portion
of the Province. This summary was adopted as a table of reference for the soils extension
programs subsequently undertaken by the Department of Agriculture.
25
5. PERSONNEL:
The vague and inadequate concepts of soil prevalent in the early pioneer days at
the M.A.C., followed by the general financial retrenchment enforced by the years of
drought; together with the austerity which accompanied the physical integration of the
University and the Agricultural College on one campus; and the erst-while periodically
evident reluctance to recognize the importance of “Science and Art in Agriculture” in a
well balanced provincially supported University; were all in varying degrees, and at
various times, responsible for difficulties in developing the Soils Department and in
training and financing a staff to carry out its activities. Nevertheless, the difficulties were
overcome by reason of the loyalty and zeal of inspired staff members of a combined staff
of University, Federal and Provincial employees; and by reason of the support and cooperation extended by the Federal and Provincial Departments of Agriculture.
Hence, it is imperative that the workers who have contributed varying terms of
service to the various departmental activities, over the years, should be inscribed and
accorded the credit due.
(a) Experimental Plot Supervisors (M.A.C. and University)
R. Maddock, from inception of Fertility Field until his retirement in 1939; Louis
A. Perreault, 1939 until transferred to Plant Science Department in 1954; A.O Ridley,
1954 to date.
(b) Soil Survey and Soil Investigations
The soil survey and soil investigational workers were recruited from student and
graduate student trainees and attached to the Soils Department for duty as employees of
the Provincial and Federal Departments of Agriculture. The charter member, who served
as assistant to J.H Ellis in the initial systematic soil survey was W.H. Shafer. This
outstanding employee was already in the service of the Soils Division as experimental
26
plot technician, but from 1927 to1949 he rendered exceptional service as soil surveyor,
draughtsman and cartographer. Ultimately. (in 1955) the Soil Survey field staff consisted
of the Senior Pedologist, Dr, W.A. Ehrlich (1939 to date); E.A. Poyser M.Sc. (1948 to
date); L.E. Pratt M. Sc. (1947 to date); F.P. Leclaire M. Sc. (1951 to date); R.E. Smith M.
Sc. (1952 to date); J.A. Robertson M.Sc. (1951 to1955).
Between 1928 and 1955 valuable service was rendered by a number of
outstanding student assistants, who developed into professional workers in the field of
Soil Science, but who are now serving at other institutions: i.e. Dr. R. Glentworth, Dr. J.
A. Hobbs, Dr. P.C. Stobbe, R.E. Wicklund, J.M Parker, R.A. Wallace, R.A. Milne, and
J.G.C. Ellis.
Student assistants who served for one or more seasons with the soil survey as
trainees, but eventually followed other vocations include: J. Poole, H. Whitby, J.
Forsythe, T. Pickersgill, C.G. Caldwell, W.A. Scott, G.C. Gamey, I.D. Steeves, M.K.
Mitchell, and A. Quadrelli.
(c) Office Administration:
Miss E. Smith (M.A.C. and Federal) 1927 to 1949; Mrs. R.M. McLaren (Federal)
1949 to date; Miss E. Shamota (University) 1952 to 1954; Miss B. Cline (University)
1954 to date.
(d) Teaching Staff (M.A.C. and University)
J.H Ellis, Head of Department from inception until retired in 1955, assisted by W.
A. Ehrlich (Federal) 1944 to 1947; J.A. Hobbs 1948-49, and R.A. Hedlin, 1950 until
appointed Acting Head in 1955.
27
6. (a) Books, Booklets, Pamphlets, Bulletins, Papers and Reports 1938-1955
“The Soils of Manitoba”, J.H. Ellis, Prov. Dept. of Agric., 112 pages with maps. 1938.
“Report of the Reconnaissance Soil Survey Municipality of Armstrong”, J.H. Ellis and
J.A. Hobbs, Prov. Dept of Agric., 48 pages with maps. 1939.
“Reconnaissance Soil Survey of South Western Manitoba”, J.H. Ellis and W.H. Shafer,
Prov. Dept. of Agric., 104 pages with colored map and illustrations. 1940
“The Land for Thine Inheritance”, J.H. Ellis, Prov. Dept. of Agric., 56 pages, 11
illustrations. 1941.
“Report of the Reconnaissance Soil Survey of South Central Manitoba”, J.H. Ellis and
W. H. Shafer, Prov. Dept. of Agric., 200 pages, 70 illustrations and colored map. 1943.
“Farm Forestry and Tree Culture Projects in the Non-Forested Region of Manitoba.” J.H.
Ellis, C.G. Gill and F.W. Broderick, Prov. Government, 150 pages, 6 figures and 64
illustrations. 1945.
“The Land for Thine Inheritance”, Revised Edition, J.H. Ellis, Prov. Dept. of Agric., 76
pages, with illustrations and charts. 1947
“Reconnaissance Soil Survey of Winnipeg and Morris Map Sheet Areas”, W.A. Ehrlich,
E.A. Poyser, L. E. Pratt, and J.H. Ellis, Prov. Dept. and Dom. Dept. of Agric., 111 pages,
2 colored maps and 70 illustrations. 1953.
“Fertilizers, Manures, and Management Practices Recommended for Regional Soil Zones
in Manitoba”, J.H. Ellis, J.H. Evans and J.E. Blakeman, Prov. Dept. of Agric., 16 pages,
3 illustrations. 1942.
“Manitoba Agriculture and Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Activities”, J.H. Ellis, Prov. Dept.
of Agric., (Also in P.F.R.A. Conference, Regina 47 pages, 1943) 43 pages with maps.
1944.
“Soils and Health”, J.H. Ellis, Prov. Dept. of Agric., 27 pages, 1944.
“The Bison’s Bellow”, J.H. Ellis and J.M. Parker, Prov. Dept. of Agric., 4 pages, 1947.
“Soils and Health”, Revised Edition, J.H. Ellis, Prov. Dept. of Agric., 28 pages, with
illustrations. 1948.
“Fertilizer Recommendations for Manitoba”, Revised Edition, Publication No. 222, J.H.
Ellis, J.H. Evans and J.E. Blakeman, Prov. Dept. of Agric., 16 pages, 1949.
28
“Effect of Soil Drifting on Soil Productivity”, J.H. Ellis, Report of the Regional
Committee on Soil Drifting, Swift Current, pages 41-46. 1938.
“Western Agricultural Zones and Their Adaptability to Various Types of Farming”. J.H.
Ellis, J. Mitchell and F.C. Wyatt, Proceedings of the Conference of Markets. Gov’t of
Man. Pages 165-173. 1938.
“The General Utilization of Land in Manitoba and the Agricultural Use Made of the
Cultivated Lands”, J H. Ellis, Proceedings of the Conference of Markets. Gov’t of Man.
Pages 173-196. 1938.
“Soil Conditions and Land Use in Western Canada”, J.H. Ellis, 6th Pacific Science
Congress, Vol 4, pages 853-866. 1939.
“Manitoba and Prairie Farm Rehabilitation – Some Local Aspects”, J.H. Ellis, Can. Soc.
Tech. Agric. Review, pages 26-28 and 67. 1939.
“Manitoba Soil Survey”, J.H. Ellis, P.F.R.A. Conference Regina (Report) pages 69-71.
1939
“Mapping Instructions, Manitoba Soil Survey”, J.H. Ellis, P.F.R.A. Conference Regina
(Report) pages 72-74. 1939
“Progress Report of Factors Affecting Protein Content of Wheat”, J.H. Ellis, P.F.R.A.
Conference Regina (Report) pages 75-77. 1939
“Soil Survey, Soil Maps, and Meteorological Records as a Basis for Planning Land Use”,
J.H. Ellis, Report of Cultural Committee, P.F.R.A. Conference, Regina, pages 40-50.
1940.
“Agricultural Development, Land Use, Physiographic Areas and Settlement in
Manitoba”, J.H. Ellis, Submitted to Ottawa, 20 pages, 3 maps, 2 figures. 1942.
“The Extent of Grey Wooded and Other Soils of the Forest Region in Relation to Land
Use in Manitoba”, J.H. Ellis, Prepared for P.F.R.A. Conference, Regina. 14 pages, 1942.
“Agricultural Development, Land Use and Settlement”, J.H. Ellis, Mimeographed by
Mortgage Loans Association, 9 pages. 1942.
“Report of the Effect of Certain Cultural and Fertility Practices on the Protein Content of
Wheat”, J.H. Ellis, Scientific Agriculture, Vol 23, No. 10 pages 474-495. 1943.
29
“Soils in Relation to the Production of Garden Crops”, and “Fertilizers for Winnipeg
Gardens”, J.H. Ellis, Winnipeg Horticultural Society Year Book, 4 pages and 6 pages.
1943.
“Progress Report of the Manitoba Soil Survey Program and the Classification of the Soils
of the Province from a Land-Use Standpoint”, J.H. Ellis, Proceedings of the P.F.R.A.
Conference, Regina, pages 72-81 with maps. 1943.
“Soil Erosion”, J.H. Ellis, Appraisal Institute of Canada Bulletin No. 3, pages 1-8, 1943.
“Study Outline in Connection with Natural Features, Soil Types and Land Utilization”,
J.H. Ellis, Appraisal Institute of Canada Bulletin No. 5, pages 12-19 inclusive. 1944.
“Soils and Climate in Relation to the Nutrition of Horticultural Plants”, J.H. Ellis,
Proceedings of Western Canadian Horticultural Society, pages 56-59. 1945.
“Conservation Projects in Manitoba”, W.A. Ehrlich and J.H. Ellis, Proceedings of
Manitoba Agronomists Conference, pages 50, 53-54, 54-56. 1945.
“Organized Soil and Water Conservation Activities in Manitoba” J.H. Ellis, Proceedings
of Manitoba Agronomists Conference, pages 49-50. 1946.
“Recommendations of Soil and Water Conservation Committee”. J.H Ellis and W.A.
Ehrlich, Proceedings of Manitoba Agronomists Conference, pages 53-54. 1946.
“Indications of Soil Productivity”, J.H. Ellis and W.A. Ehrlich, Appraisal Institute of
Canada Bulletin No. 8, pages 56-58. 1947.
“Soil Conservation and Soil Deterioration – or What, When, Why and How”, J.H Ellis,
A.I.C. Mimeographed report, pages 7-19. 1947.
“Soil Conservation Recommendations – Manitoba Soil Conservation Committee”, J.H.
Ellis, Proceedings of Manitoba Agronomists Conference, pages 45-48. 1947
“Will Present Methods of Soil Drift Control Prove Effective in Another Period of Severe
Drought”, J.H. Ellis, Conference P.F.R.A. Advisory Committee, pages 76-83, map. 1947.
“Soil Conservation in Manitoba”, J.H. Ellis, W.A. Ehrlich, and J.M. Parker. Proceedings
of Manitoba Agronomists Conference, pages 47-50.1948.
“The Significance of Soil Characteristics in Farm Appraisal”, J.H Ellis, Journal of the
Appraisal Institute of Canada Bulletin No. 10, pages 57-66, 1948.
30
“Soil Science on the Western Plains – Its Field and Scope”, J.H. Ellis, Public Address at
Official Opening, Soils Building, University of Saskatchewan. 21 pages. 1950.
“The Challenge of the West – A Permanent Civilization”, J.H. Ellis, Presented at Barley
and Flax Conference, Winnipeg, 23 pages. 1950.
“Soil Deterioration – A Problem for the Land Appraiser”, J.H. Ellis, Journal of Appraisal
Institute of Canada, pages 53-62. 1950.
“Sugar Beets in Manitoba; Past, Present and Future”, J.H. Ellis, Presented at Manitoba
Beet Growers Association Conference. 8 pages, 1950.
“Soil and Water Conservation”, J.M Parker and J.H. Ellis, Proceedings of Manitoba
Agronomists Conference, pages 45-46.1949.
“The Land Our Heritage”, J.H. Ellis, Presented to the Manitoba Natural History Society,
23 typed pages. 1950.
“A Summary of the Soil Conservation Problems and the Soil Conservation Activities
Required for Specific Areas in Manitoba”, J.H Ellis, Proceedings of Manitoba
Agronomists Conference, 8 pages.1950.
“Soil Conservation and Municipal Administration”. J.H. Ellis, Published Reprint of
Addresses, Extension Course in Municipal Administration and Public Finance, pages 4554. 1951.
“Soils, Geological Deposits and Vegetation in Relation to Water Supply”, J.H. Ellis.
Reprint of Addresses to Institute for Sanitary Inspectors, March 1952.
“Soils of the District” in Facts About: Virden (page 8); Selkirk (page 9); Portage (page
9); Neepawa (page 9). J.H. Ellis Bureau of Industrial Development, Manitoba
Department of Industry and Commerce. 1953.
Review on:
“Soil Conservation Districts in Action” J.H. Ellis, Agric. Inst. Of Canada Review, Vol 8
No. 3, page 59. 1953.
“Source and Nature of the Regolith in the Various Landscape Areas of Southern
Manitoba”, J.H. Ellis, National Research Council of Canada, Technical Mem. No 27 –
Proc. Of the Sixth Canadian Soil Mechanics Conference, pages 3-20. 1952.
“Nitrate Status of Ground Water in the Neepawa Area”, E.A. Poyser. Proceedings of
Manitoba Agronomists Conference, page 45.1952.
31
“Progress Report of Mineral Analyses of Hay Samples Made in Connection with
Provincial Pasture Studies”. R.E. Smith and J.H. Ellis. Proceedings of Manitoba
Agronomists Conference, page 48.1952.
“Soil Erosion in Western Canada”, J.H. Ellis, Agric. Inst. Of Canada Review (March –
April issue), pages 36-39 and 46. 1953-54.
“The Nature and Distribution of Saline Soils in Manitoba”, L.E. Pratt and J.H. Ellis. Sci.
Agric. 34:364-373. 1954.
“Saline Soils in Manitoba”, L.E. Pratt. Proceedings of Manitoba Agronomists
Conference, page 51.1953.
“Nitrogen Loss in Manitoba Under Arable Culture”, E.A. Poyser, Proceedings of
Manitoba Agronomists Conference, pages 51-52.1953.
“Post Glacial Weathering of Mankato Till in Manitoba”, W.A. Ehrlich, Journal of
Geology. 1955.
“Influence of the Composition of Parent Materials in Soil Formation in Manitoba”, W.A.
Ehrlich, H.M Rice and J.H. Ellis, Can. J. Agric. Sci. 35:407-421. 1955.
“Criticisms and Comments of the New Horizon Nomenclature” W.A. Ehrlich, E.A
Poyser and L.E. Pratt, Submitted to Dr. A Leahey for composite submission to Dr. G.
Smith, Washington D.C. 1955.
“Canada – Our Heritage”, J.H. Ellis, Icelandic Picnic (Diamond jubilee Celebration)
Hnausa. 1954.
“Effect of Green Manure on the Nitrogen and Organic Matter Content of the Soil”, E.A.
Poyser. Proceedings of Manitoba Agronomists Conference, pages 43-44.1955.
“Status of Soil Survey in Manitoba”, W.A. Ehrlich. Proceedings of Manitoba
Agronomists Conference, page 45.1955.
“Progress Report of Reconnaissance Soil Survey of the Spruce Forest Reserve and
Surrounding Area”. J.H. Ellis. Submitted to Officials concerned, 8 pages, tabulation and
map. 1940
“Report of Detailed Soil Survey of the Dominion Experimental Farm (Brandon)”, J.H.
Ellis, submitted to Dominion Experimental Farm, Ottawa. 43 pages including maps and
figures. 1940.
32
“Report of Preliminary Land Inspection South Eastern Manitoba”, J.H. Ellis, submitted to
departments concerned with accompanying maps, 67 pages including figures and
photographs. 1943
“Manitoba Soil Survey”, J.H. Ellis. Report to Survey Branch Reconstruction Committee.
9 pages. 1944.
“Report of Sub-Committee on Chemical and Physical Analysis of Soils” J.H. Ellis, W.A.
Delong, and L.E. Wright. National Soil Survey Committee, Ottawa, 17 pages and 2
figures, 1945.
“Report of Inspection of Soils in Part of Porcupine Mountain Forest Reserve”, J.H. Ellis,
Submitted to officials concerned. 11 pages, 4 illustrations and maps. 1946.
“Tabular Summary Sheet of Manitoba and North Dakota Soils”, J.H. Ellis, Submitted to
Dom. Dept. of Agric. And U.S. Division of Soil Survey, 1946.
“Report of Manitoba Soil Conservation Committee”, J.H Ellis, Typed Submission to
Hon. D.L. Campbell, 13 pages. 1947.
“Report of the Carrot River Reclamation Project” Part I (J.H. Ellis), Part II (W.A Ehrlich,
W.H. Shafer and J.A. Barr), Submitted to Prov. And Federal Depts. Of Agric. 38 pages,
10 Illustrations, general map and soil map. 1947.
“Notes on Flood Conditions – Carrot River Project”, J.H. Ellis, Submitted to Man. Dept.
of Agric., 6 pages, 16 illustrations. 1948.
“Report of Sub-Committee on Chemical and Physical Analysis”, J.H. Ellis, Proceedings
of 2nd Conference, National Soil Survey Committee. 5 pages. 1948.
“Classification of Land in the Carrot River Area”. J.A. Barr, and J.H. Ellis, Submitted to
Dominion and Provincial Depts concerned, 6 pages with soil map and land classification
map. 1949.
“Progress Report of Mineral Analysis of Manitoba Hays”, J.H. Ellis, D. Noton and J.A.
Hobbs, Submitted to Man. Dept of Agric., 24 pages. 1949.
“Report on Field Work Accomplished by Manitoba Soil Survey during Summer, 1950”.
J.H. Ellis, Submitted to Dominion and Provincial Depts. Of Agric., 3 pages, 1950.
“Report of Winter Operations of Manitoba Soil Survey 1949-50”. J.H. Ellis, Submitted to
Dominion and Provincial Depts. Of Agric., 4 pages, 1950.
33
“Report of Reconnaissance Soil Survey Ste. Rose du Lac Area”. W/A. Ehrlich (Edited by
J.H. Ellis), Submitted to Dominion and Provincial Depts. of Agric., 56 pages, 1949.
“Report of Reconnaissance Soil Survey of the Julius Area”. E.A. Poyser (Edited by J.H.
Ellis), Submitted to Dominion and Provincial Depts. of Agric., and Manitoba Lands
Branch, 41 pages, 3 illustrations. 1950.
“Report of Detailed Soil Survey of Goodland Illustration Station”, W.A. Ehrlich,
Submitted to Canada Dept. of Agric. and to Supervisor Illustrations Stations – Brandon,
24 pages. 1950.
“Report of Detailed Soil Survey of Ashern Illustration Station”, W.A. Ehrlich, Submitted
to Canada Dept. of Agric. and Supervisor Illustrations Stations – Brandon, 23 pages.
1950.
“Report of Detailed Soil Survey of Lenswood Illustration Station”, W.A. Ehrlich,
Submitted to Canada Dept. of Agric. and to Supervisor Illustrations Stations – Brandon,
21 pages. 1950.
“Report of Detailed Soil Survey of Durban Illustration Station”, W.A. Ehrlich, Submitted
to Can. Dept. of Agric. and Supervisor Illustrations Stations – Brandon, 23 pages. 1950.
“Report of Detailed Soil Survey of Lyleton Illustration Station”, E.A. Poyser, Submitted
to Can. Dept. of Agric. and Supervisor Illustrations Stations – Brandon, 19 pages. 1951.
“Report of Detailed Soil Survey of Katrime Illustration Station”, E.A. Poyser, Submitted
to Can. Dept. of Agric. and Supervisor Illustrations Stations – Brandon, 22 pages. 1951.
“Report of Detailed Soil Survey of Morris Illustration Station”, E.A. Poyser, Submitted to
Can. Dept. of Agric. and to Supervisor Illustrations Stations – Brandon, 16 pages. 1951.
“Report of Detailed Soil Survey of Arborg Illustration Station”, E.A. Poyser, Submitted
to Can. Dept. of Agric. and to Supervisor Illustrations Stations – Brandon, 16 pages.
1951.
“Report of Detailed Soil Survey of Pipestone D.E. Station”, L.E. Pratt, Submitted to Can.
Dept. of Agric. and to Supervisor Illustrations Stations – Brandon, 17 pages. 1951.
“Report of Detailed Soil Survey of Silverton Illustration Station”, L.E. Pratt, Submitted to
Can. Dept. of Agric. and to Supervisor Illustrations Stations – Brandon, 23 pages. 1951.
“Report of Detailed Soil Survey of Hargrave D.E. Substation”, L.E. Pratt, Submitted to
Can. Dept. of Agric. and to Supervisor Illustrations Stations – Brandon, 20 pages. 1951.
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“Nitrates in Water and Fodder, Neepawa Area”, J.H. Ellis, E.A. Poyser and F.P. Leclaire.
Submitted to Dominion and Provincial Depts. of Agric. and Manitoba Dept. of Health
and Welfare, 71 pages, 1951.
“Crop Sequence Effect of Sunflowers”, Manitoba and Dominion Depts. of Agric.,
University of Manitoba, and Co-op Vegetable Oils, 8 pages, 1953.
“Provincial Hay and Pasture Project – Mineral Analysis”, J.H. Ellis and R.E. Smith,
Provincial Dept. of Agric. and Canada Dept. of Agric. 74 pages, 1953.
“Report on Land Inspection of Upper Nelson River Area”. W.A. Ehrlich, submitted to
Canada and Manitoba Dept. of Agric. Manitoba Lands Branch, Manitoba Dept. of Mines,
3 copies to Deputy Minister of Agric., Superintendent Illustration Stations – Brandon;
26 pages, 1952.
“Report of Preliminary Survey of Erosion in the Morden Area”, J.H. Ellis, L.E. Pratt and
R.A. Wallace, Submitted to Canada and Manitoba Depts of Agric., President and Dean of
University of Manitoba.
“Preliminary Inspection of Summerberry and Grand Rapids Areas”. W.A. Ehrlich,
Submitted to Canada and Manitoba Depts. Of Agric., Manitoba Dept. of Mines and
Natural Resources, 21 pages. 1953.
“Report of North Dakota – Manitoba – Ontario – Minnesota Correlation Tour”, W.A.
Ehrlich, L.E. Pratt and E.A. Poyser. Submitted to Canada Department of Agriculture, 47
pages. 1953
“Criticisms and Comments of “New Classification Scheme” – Soil Conservation Service,
U.S.A.”, W.A. Ehrlich, Submitted to Canada Department of Agriculture, Dr, G.D. Smith,
Washington, D.C. 4 pages. 1953.
“Report of Soil Survey- Beausejour Illustration Station”, L.E. Pratt and J.H. Ellis.
Submitted to Canada Department of Agriculture, and Superintendent Illustration Stations
– Brandon, 19 pages. 1953.
“Report on Land Inspection of the Minago River Area”, W.A. Ehrlich, Submitted to
Canada and Manitoba Depts. Of Agric., 18 pages. 1954.
“Report of Investigations into the Occurrence of Nitrate in Waters used for Domestic and
Stock-Watering Purpose in Neepawa and Adjacent Districts Part II”, J.H. Ellis and F.P.
Leclaire, submitted to Manitoba Dept. Of Agric., 42 pages. 1955.
35
“Report of Land Inspection of Eastern and Northeastern Manitoba”, W.A. Ehrlich,
Submitted to Canada and Manitoba Depts. Of Agric., and Manitoba Lands Branch, 12
pages. 1955.
“Soil Survey in Manitoba”, O.G. Caldwell, Soil Survey Conference, Swift Current. pages
6-10. 1938.
“Summary Report of Soils of the Community Pasture in Municipalities of Ellice and
Archie”, H. Scott, submitted to officials concerned. 48 pages and map 1940.
“Report of Preliminary Inspection of Renwer Proposed Settlement Area”, W.H. Shafer,
Submitted to Lands Branch, Prov. Dept. of Agric., 7 pages with sketch map and
summary. 1947.
“Report of Preliminary Inspection of Birch River Proposed Settlement Area”, W.H.
Shafer, Submitted to Lands Branch, Prov. Dept. of Agric., 12 pages with map. 1946.
“Report of Preliminary Inspection of Soils in the Washow Bay Proposed Development
Area”, W.H. Shafer, Submitted to officials concerned, 10 pages with map. 1947.
“Notes and Observations on the Western Portion of Riding Mountain National Park
Area”, W.H. Shafer, Submitted to officials concerned, 21 pages with map. 1947.
“Report of Sub-Committee on Soil Structure and Soil Consistence”, W.A. Ehrlich,
Proceedings of 2nd Conference, National Soil Survey Committee, 10 pages. 1948.
“Keep Manitoba Soils Productive”. R.A. Hedlin, Publication No. 265, Manitoba
Department of Agriculture. 1953.
b) Publications and Papers Prior to and Including 1937
“Observations on Rust Control”, J.H. Ellis, Extension Bulletin No. 41, Department of
Agriculture, Province of Manitoba. pages 1-15. 1919.
“Agronomic Conditions in Manitoba”, J.H. Ellis. 1921.
“Grasses and Clovers for Manitoba and How to Grow Them”, J.H. Ellis, Manitoba
Department of Agriculture, Bulletin No. 69, 1923.
“The Trench Silo”, J.H. Ellis, Manitoba Department of Agriculture, Bulletin No. 76,
1924.
“Perennial Sow Thistle, and What can be done to Control It”, J.H. Ellis, Manitoba
Department of Agriculture, Bulletin No. 92, 1929.
36
“Fertilizer Trials”, J.H. Ellis and G.H. Burnell. 1929.
“A Contribution to our Knowledge of the Nitrogen Content of the Red River Valley
Soils”, J.H. Ellis and W.H. Shafer. Sci. Agric. Vol IX, pages 231-248. 1928.
“A Field Classification of Soils for Use in the Soil Survey”, J.H. Ellis, Sci. Agric. Vol
XII, pages 338-345. 1932.
“Podzolic Associations of the Chernosem Soils in North Western Manitoba”, Abstract
Technical Papers, World’s Grain Conference, Regina, Saskatchewan. Page 15. 1933.
“Zonation for Fertilizer Requirements of Cereals in the Northern Prairies”, Abstract
Technical Papers, World’s Grain Conference, Regina, Saskatchewan. Page 40. 1933.
“Zonation for Fertilizer Requirements in the Northern Prairies” Sci. Agric. Vol XV,
pages 96-109. 1934.
“Soil Types Occurring in the Red River Valley Plains”, Sci. Agric. Vol XV, pages 276286. 1935.
“Magnesium Clay Solonetz”, J.H. Ellis, Trans. 3rd International Congress of Soil Science
(Oxford), Vol. 1, pages 348. 1935.
“Report on the Soil Zone Map of Canada”, J.H. Ellis, Trans. 3rd International Congress of
Soil Science (Oxford), Vol. 1, pages 226. 1935.
“The Recent Drought Situation in South-Western Manitoba”. J.H. Ellis, W.H. Shafer and
C.G. Caldwell, Sci. Agric. Vol. XVI, pages 478-488. 1936.
“Mineral Content of Manitoba Hays”, J.H. Ellis and O.G. Caldwell, Sci. Agric. Vol XVI,
No 10.
“Fertilization of Dry Soils in Canada”, Report Submitted for World’s Fertilization
Congress, Section 2 – Techniques of Fertilization Question 6 – Fertilization of Dry soils.
International Fertilizer Congress (F.I.T.A.) Rome, Italy. 1936.
“The Field and Scope of Soil Science”, J.H. Ellis, C.S.T.A. Review, March 1937. No. 12,
pages 556-571. 1937.
“An Agricultural Program for South-Western Manitoba”, J.H. Ellis, T.J. Harrison, F.W.
Reinoehl, G.W. Wood and G. Batho, Manitoba Department of Agriculture Bulletin. 1933.
37