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Milton Whitney, 1860–1927
I)ec., 1927.1 ratus described of electricity small tree.”
CURRENT
TOPICS.
to be of the same order of magnitude as the quantity discharged, under the same conditions, from a G. F. S.
ro f essor Whitney, internationMilton Whitney, 186o_rg27.-P ally known soil scientist and chief of the Bureau of Soils of the U. S. Department of Agriculture from the time of its organization in 1894 to June of this year, died at his home in Takoma Park, Xtd., Although he retired as early on the morning of November 11th. active chief last June, he continued his research work in the bureau to the end. Professor Whitney was born in Baltimore, Md., August 3, 1860, Three and received his early education in the Baltimore schools. years of special work in chemistry at Johns Hopkins University, under the direction of the famous chemist, Dr. Ira Remsen, inspired him to give his attention to the study of soils and their relation to plant growth. Concluding his studies at Johns Hopkins in 1883, he was made assistant chemist of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. In 1886 he became superintendent of the experiment farm of the North Carolina Experiment Station where he acquired much practical experience in the handling of soils which was of great value to him in his later scientific studies. It was in the report of his work at this station that he first called attention to the profound influence of the physical properties of soils upon crop production. in In 1888 he accepted the positions of professor of agriculture the University of South Carolina and vice-director of the experiment station. In 1891 Professor Whitney went to the Maryland Experiment Station and while there the Weather Bureau of the Department of Agriculture placed certain funds at his disposal that he might complete a full report on soil investigations. This was published as Weather Bureau Bulletin Number 4. The Department of Agriculture was so influenced by the necessity for study of the great problems of the soil as set forth in Professor Whitney’s bulletin that it established a Division of Soils in 1894 and he was selected as its head. The work of the early division grew until Congress set it up as a bureau in 1901 with Professor Whitney as chief. Under his direction the work of the bureau He estabexpanded greatly and covered many lines of investigation. lished the Soil Survey, an organization having for its objective the mapping of the soil-types of the entire United States. This undertaking has proved its worth and to-day more than one-third of the arable landis of the United States have been painstakingly mapped to show the extent and location of the various types of soil. Early in its history the Bureau of Soils undertook a study of the alkali problem of the western lands and a method was devised for the reclamation and handling of alkali soils. Under Professor Whitney’s direction also the study of soils suitable for tobacco raisVOL. 204, No. r2z4---59
[J.
CURRENT TOPICS.
F.I.
ing was inaugurated, and it was he who was chiefly instrumental in the establishment of tobacco growing under shade in the Connecticut River Valley. He diirected the governmental work on the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen ; and in 191I, when there arose the threat of a German monopoly of the potash supply, he threw his organization enthusiastically into the field for the development of adequate domestic sources of potash and other fertilizer materials. His prominence in the field of soil science was probably never more adequately recognized than at the opening of the First International Congress of Soil Science held in Washington this summer. The Congress paused at its opening meeting to adopt a resolution of regret that Professor Whitney was unable to attend because of his illness, and to acknowledge his place as a soil scientist of international reputation.
THE
FRANKLIN
INSTITUTE
OFFICERS FOR 1927 President Vice-presidents StXWtWY Assistant Secret ary and Librarian T?W.SUW7 Controller
WM. C. L. EGLIN HENRY HOWSON C. C. TUTW~LER WALTON FORSTALL HOWARD MCCLENAHAN ALFRED RIGLING BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WILLIAM F. JACKSON, JR.
Board of Managers JAMES BARNES GEORGE H. BENZON, JR. CHARLES E. BONINE EDWARD G. Bum FRANCIS T. CHAMBERS G. H. CLAMER THEOBALD F. CLARK WALTON CLARK
MORRISL.
CLOTHIER CHARLES DAY ARTHUR W. GOODSPEED CLARENCE A. HALL NATHAN HAYWARD GEORGE A. HOADLEY ROBERT W. LESLEY MARSHALL S. MORGAN
CHARLES PENROSE JAMES S. ROGERS GEORGE D. ROSENGARTEN E. H. SANBORN HASELTINE SMITH SAMUEL T. WAGNER J. T. WALLIS WILLIAM c. WETHERILL
CURRENT
TOPICS.
to be of the same order of magnitude as the quantity discharged, under the same conditions, from a G. F. S.
ro f essor Whitney, internationMilton Whitney, 186o_rg27.-P ally known soil scientist and chief of the Bureau of Soils of the U. S. Department of Agriculture from the time of its organization in 1894 to June of this year, died at his home in Takoma Park, Xtd., Although he retired as early on the morning of November 11th. active chief last June, he continued his research work in the bureau to the end. Professor Whitney was born in Baltimore, Md., August 3, 1860, Three and received his early education in the Baltimore schools. years of special work in chemistry at Johns Hopkins University, under the direction of the famous chemist, Dr. Ira Remsen, inspired him to give his attention to the study of soils and their relation to plant growth. Concluding his studies at Johns Hopkins in 1883, he was made assistant chemist of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. In 1886 he became superintendent of the experiment farm of the North Carolina Experiment Station where he acquired much practical experience in the handling of soils which was of great value to him in his later scientific studies. It was in the report of his work at this station that he first called attention to the profound influence of the physical properties of soils upon crop production. in In 1888 he accepted the positions of professor of agriculture the University of South Carolina and vice-director of the experiment station. In 1891 Professor Whitney went to the Maryland Experiment Station and while there the Weather Bureau of the Department of Agriculture placed certain funds at his disposal that he might complete a full report on soil investigations. This was published as Weather Bureau Bulletin Number 4. The Department of Agriculture was so influenced by the necessity for study of the great problems of the soil as set forth in Professor Whitney’s bulletin that it established a Division of Soils in 1894 and he was selected as its head. The work of the early division grew until Congress set it up as a bureau in 1901 with Professor Whitney as chief. Under his direction the work of the bureau He estabexpanded greatly and covered many lines of investigation. lished the Soil Survey, an organization having for its objective the mapping of the soil-types of the entire United States. This undertaking has proved its worth and to-day more than one-third of the arable landis of the United States have been painstakingly mapped to show the extent and location of the various types of soil. Early in its history the Bureau of Soils undertook a study of the alkali problem of the western lands and a method was devised for the reclamation and handling of alkali soils. Under Professor Whitney’s direction also the study of soils suitable for tobacco raisVOL. 204, No. r2z4---59
[J.
CURRENT TOPICS.
F.I.
ing was inaugurated, and it was he who was chiefly instrumental in the establishment of tobacco growing under shade in the Connecticut River Valley. He diirected the governmental work on the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen ; and in 191I, when there arose the threat of a German monopoly of the potash supply, he threw his organization enthusiastically into the field for the development of adequate domestic sources of potash and other fertilizer materials. His prominence in the field of soil science was probably never more adequately recognized than at the opening of the First International Congress of Soil Science held in Washington this summer. The Congress paused at its opening meeting to adopt a resolution of regret that Professor Whitney was unable to attend because of his illness, and to acknowledge his place as a soil scientist of international reputation.
THE
FRANKLIN
INSTITUTE
OFFICERS FOR 1927 President Vice-presidents StXWtWY Assistant Secret ary and Librarian T?W.SUW7 Controller
WM. C. L. EGLIN HENRY HOWSON C. C. TUTW~LER WALTON FORSTALL HOWARD MCCLENAHAN ALFRED RIGLING BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WILLIAM F. JACKSON, JR.
Board of Managers JAMES BARNES GEORGE H. BENZON, JR. CHARLES E. BONINE EDWARD G. Bum FRANCIS T. CHAMBERS G. H. CLAMER THEOBALD F. CLARK WALTON CLARK
MORRISL.
CLOTHIER CHARLES DAY ARTHUR W. GOODSPEED CLARENCE A. HALL NATHAN HAYWARD GEORGE A. HOADLEY ROBERT W. LESLEY MARSHALL S. MORGAN
CHARLES PENROSE JAMES S. ROGERS GEORGE D. ROSENGARTEN E. H. SANBORN HASELTINE SMITH SAMUEL T. WAGNER J. T. WALLIS WILLIAM c. WETHERILL