AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTATION IN THE USSR: (DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IRRIGATION, DRAINAGE & LAND CONSERVATION PROJECTS)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T00246A042700070001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 18
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 17, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: June 12, 1958
• Content Type: REPORT

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title
18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
USSR (Ukrainian SSR
USSR : (do "iu h a d die S' CXA q ttiY3 at
Belorussian SSR) REPORT
Agricultural Experimentation in the DATE DISTR. 12 June 1958
IXX~o~Lt,pV , +na-, t, 2ar~ G GL% Ut1o &..c NO. PAGES
~tiCt?a).
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE &
DATE ACQ.
PROCESSING COPY
The report contains
a detailed description of irrigation, drainage, and land conservation projects
in the Ukrainian SSR and the Belorussian SSR. It also provides information
on a 'eultural institutes and a erimental stations in these re ions
W,A
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STATE ARMY NAVY AIR
X FBI AEC
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SOVIET MARSHLAND PROJECTS AND RESEARCH STATIONS VI? ? D
Central Peat Boa Station at KOSINOV
~- ? arc,
The institution was founded in 1923. divided into three de-
partments
c1j 'Peat reserves and raw materials
(2) `Utilization of peat for fertilizer ~.,
(3) ' chanization of agricultural fertilization
The central station at K'Q5R0'1 has the following branches:
1. DIMITROV, 100 kilometers southeast of Moscow
2. VTOROV near VLADIMIR, 200 kilometers from Moscow
3. REDKINOV, 130 kilometers from Moscow
Experimental agricultural fieldsuea a in DIMITROVe-Fhe Vtorov station
s primarily concerned with mechanization for producing peat for fertili-
zation purposes. A total of 35 scientists an& employed;at the station and
its branches.
The degree of disintegration [of the peat] is determined by one
method, which consists of spreading the peat mass on paper, and by
another method involving the use of microscopes and which was developed
by MIKINA. A publication on this method was issued.
At the suggestion of NIKONOV, a peat bog cadastre was started in
the RSFSR which has been continued and the results of which are printed.
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The extent of the peat reserves could not be given definitely, since
the investigations were not yet finished. However, a map of the European
part of the RSFSR was completed and showed the distribution of peat re-
serves, not within local political boundaries but based on the extent of
natural reserves so that the percentage of peat reserves within natural
boundaries could be seen. For example, in the forest zone, marsh areas
amount to 20 percent of the total area, and the marshland areas decrease
toward the south.
Numerous maps, graphs, etc. were shown which gave a characterization
of the peat, the functional relations between the pH number and CaO con-
tent in the crumb structure and depth, the agrarian-technical characteris-
tics, etc.
The question of using peat as fertilizer is considered particularly
significant in the RSFSR, and work carried out thus far has led to re-
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hope of applying these peat exploitation methods in East Germany is com-
pletely false. In the RSFSR, widespread lowland bogs which are only
slightly decomposed are being partially and systematically used for
fertilizer. These are areas which have never been agriculturally
utilized [cultivated]. In East Germany, however, bog lands have, for
the most part, been cultivated at one time and are, thus, underlaid by
a cultivated or oxidized [layer] which must be maintained to enable
further agricultural utilization. This fact must be faced, in view of
the present propaganda line urging that the example of the RSFSR be
introduced in East Germany.
Peat is removed 5-6 times in one season,
and a total of 1,000 tons of fertilizer peat is produced from one hectare.
This fertilizer peat is "splashed" on light mineral soil (to a depth of
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2 centimeters, or 40-60 tons per hectare) and on clay soil to a depth
dependent on the humus content. The removal of peat for fertilizer
continues until a 50-centimeter layer remains. The area in the RSFSR
from which peat is removed amounts to 20,000 hectares and is to be in-
creased to 70,000 hectares.
In 3 years, 10,000 hectares of land have been treated with fertilizer
peat. The harvest [on this acreage] is said to have increased 200 percent.
Experiments with peat compost have increased yields. Peat compost is made
with clay, according to a Dutch method. Highland peat is not as suitable
for the production of humus fertilizer as lowland peat. The peat fertilizer
is worked into the soil to a depth not more than 10 centimeters, and lasts
for 7 years. It is thus more lasting and productive than manure fertilizer.
The effect of peat fertilization, however, is not as satisfactory if the
land has previously undergone repeated, systematic fertilization.
Visit to the Ukrainian SSR
Water economy is carried out within
a main administration equal in rank to the ministries. At present, a re-
organization is in process. This main department is engaged in land im-
provement and deals with agricultural water supply. Dam construction
falls within the jurisdiction of the pertinent ministry -- in many cases,
the Ministry for Electric Power Supply. Drainage and irrigation projects
in the Kiev district were toured under the leadership of ROTA;.
the TRUBESCH and SUPOI drainage and irrigation projects
were visited. TRUBESCH is a 32,000-hectare area, 70 percent of which is
peat bog extending to a depth of 4-7 meters. Stratigraphically, it is
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lowland bog (Mragemites plus Carex) with a transition bog character
(Hypnum). The drainage project was started in 1;55, and is to be com-
pleted by 1060.
[Detailed ditch measurements are given.] There is no
pipe drainage. The average depth of the drainage [ditch?] is 70-75
centimeters with a 250-millimeter diameter. The main channel is 124
kilometers long ([carries] 20 cubic meters per second). The settling
of the bog is measured according to a formula by PAIADIADI. Depending
on the settling, [which takes place over a period of] about 10 years,
drainage channels, which have a life-span of about 4-6 years, are renewed
and reduced to a 5 -meter distance apart, depending on conditions. This
irrigation system also serves drainage purposes. in the spring, thorough
drainage is carried out and then during the growing period the ditches
are closed off and prevented from emptying into the main channel. Wooden
dams from older [drainage] systems have now been replaced by concrete
dams, the parts for which are produced in a central construction yard
(BEitIESAI) and are delivered in pre-fabricated form to the construction
sites. where such dams are not available, other more primitive, but
equally effective means are used. Crop rotation in the drained area is
as follows: grassland (3-4 years), potatoes, beets and corn, vegetables,
vetch mixture with new seeding in the fall. Yields average as follows:
grassland, 7,000-8,000 kilograms per hectare of hay from two cuttings;
potatoes, 20,000 kilograms per hectare; beets, 45,000 kilograms per
hectare; and vegetables (cabbage), 0.5,000 kilograms per hectare, with a
higher yield from experimental plots.
Nitrogen [fertilizer] is not allotted, phosphoric acid is granted
only in individual cases since it is scarce, and about 90 kilograms per
hectare of potash is allotted. For potatoes and grassland 500 kilograms
of pyrite, an industrial waste product containing copper, is allotted per
hectare. The cost of this drainage system is 2,200 rubles per hectare;
and 6 percent of the work is done by the k?lkhoses.
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Visit to the PANFILA Peat Bog E Brim nt 1 Station in the Region of
SUPOI
The function of this station consists of research on drainage and
cultivation measures followed by agricultural utilization.
The station is about 101 kilometers southeast of KIEV in the 22,000-
hectare SUPOI drainage area. The station consists of 140 hectares of
marshy soil. It is, stratigraphically, also a lowland peat bog with a
transition bog character. The station employs ten scientific specialists.
The area has been under drainage since 1937. At present, general re-
pairs, such as ditch deepening, are being started. In general there are
no ditch bed foundations which would enable the use of machinery. All
ditches have been dug with excavators. The SUPOI [River] is the main
channel with a 1% slope and a drainage fall of 0.30. At present, two
reservoirs are being built for holding ba water in the upper regions of
the Supol.
The drainage measures are an attempt to accelerate the decomposition
of the peat for agricultural use. "Aerobe" [Aeration?] processes have
thus had to be introduced, which could also be used in East Germany.
Professor TUELENOV has developed a type of drainage excavation machine,
called an "aeration" or "ccordination machined which can be used both for
drainage and irrigation. Aeration is created by means of channels dug LO
centimeters below the surface. Through the use of this machine, it was
shown that 3 tons of nitrogen is activated per hectare, and the spring
growing period can be lengthened by 2-3 weeks.
The ground water level at the experimental station area is 50-75
centimeters underground at present. Although no P205 fertilization has
been undertaken, the grassland stands presented a very good and uniform
appearance. The following crop rotation is carried out in the TRUBESCH
area: potatoes, beets, forage crops (corn, vetch, Sudan grass, millet),
oat-vetch mixture, and grassland (3-4 years).
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Various seed 'mixtures are used in grassland seeding, and about
20-22 kilograms are sown per hectare. Production of grass seed is also
carried on. Stands are used for hay production the first year, and for
seed production the second year. The average yearly temperature is 7.2
degrees [Centigrade] and the annual precipitation is 400-450 millimeters,
of which 150-200 millimeters of rainfall is recorded for the June/ my
growing period. [Sample of a seeding mixture is given] Seed yields
produced from 7'imothy and /escue grass amount to 300-400 kilograms per
hectare.
Visit to the SU! P Drainage Area (12 May 1957)
The SUYEP area is 10,000 hectares in size, of which 8,500 hectares
are agriculturally utilized. It is administered from the DANIDAV (Pump
Station). The peat bog covers 6,500 hectares. It consists of Hypnum-
Phragmite Equisitum peat varying in depth from 20 centimeters to 4 meters.
The area has been in use for 10 years and at present is being reconstructed.
The wooden structures (particularly dams) are now being replaced by rein-
forced concrete. Drainage is coupled here with irrigation of mineral
soil in highland areas. It is irrigated by means of bucket elevators
with a sprinkling system. Two pumps were seen which drain 500 cubic
meters [of water] per hour. There is one central administration and three
branch offices for the area. A total of 17.5 million cubic meters of
water is stored in two reservoirs; 3.5 million cubic meters in GORPTIRAKAYA
and 14 million cubic meters in LESNOYE. Pipe drainage is not used, be-
cause it is too expensive for peat bogs. Crop rotation is carried out
in both peat bog and mineral soil. Irrigated corn crops yield 5,000
kilograms of kernel corn (Koerner Ae) per hectare.
Planning Institute KIEV
PERECHREST, Director of the Planning Institute, outlined its work
in the presence of leading staff members. The institute headquarters
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CJill
are in KIEV: and its three branches are located in ODENAR, VOVOLEV, and
SAPORODNY. Some 1,200 engineers are employed at the institute. The
institute is concerned with the planning and drainage of marsh areas and
irrigation of the southern part of the Ukraine in the forest steppes and
steppe zone.
Within the framework of the drainage and irrigation measures, dams
and water storage facilities (including water containers for the fishing
industry) are planned. The institute also carries out planning in
agricultural water supply, the diking of rivers, and road building.
According to plans, construction measures will be carried out by a
construction organization. The chief engineer,who is responsible for
planning, also supervises the execution of construction. There are also
special industrial enterprises responsible for repairs. The actual ex-
ecution of large construction measures takes priority over housing
construction for workers. The annual work plan is set up within the
framework of the Five-Year Flan.
The Institute is divided into the following departments:
1. Housing and industrial construction
2. Topography
3. Hydrotechnology and geology
Agrarian economic department (utilization of improved
land areas)
5. Water supply
6. Financing
7. Hydrology
Soil research (including laboratories)
9. Electrotechnology
10. Equipment (including personnel department)
11. Scientific research work (including documentation)
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in addition, there is a duplicating department.
The number of chief engineers employed depends on the number of
projects being processed. Projects valued at more than 50 million rubles
must be endorsed in Moscow, while projects valued at less than 50 million
rubles are endorsed by the Council of Ministers of the Ukrainian SSR after
the project has been examined and approved by the Main Department for
Water Economy of the Council of Ministers. Smaller projects involving
less than 500 hectares are approved in the area concerned. Planning work
proved particularly interesting and would be worthy of imitating in East
Germany [Detailed preliminary planning work is described]. After such
preliminary work has been completed, the actual project is set up. De-
pending on the difficulty, the project is set up in two or three stages.
Preliminary work, including the soil and hydrological research, such as
ground water observations, climate conditions, take at least 1-2 years
according to the size of the project. Such thorough planning is often
lacking in East Germany. The kolkhoz concerned must give its approval
of the project before construction is carried out.
Costs of setting up a project amounted to about 2-5 percent of the
total construction costs. Costs for the project are essentially paid
by the State, and only funds for smaller items, such as pond construction
for the kolkhoz, are paid by the kolkhoz. The maintenance or "exploitation"
costs are also granted by the state. Smaller secondary canals are main-
tained by the kolkhoz, and the kolkhoz also pays for subsequent agricul-
tural measures, such as plowing, new seeding, etc. In 1956, 28 million
rubles were granted by the state for [such] projects, and one million
rubles was collected from kolkhoses.
Erosion, which is very widespread in the Ukraine, is being ener-
getically fought through the planting of wind breaks. The eroded areas
(so-called "Balli") are completely planted.
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The irrigation project in the KHERSON area
covers a total area of 60,000 hectares and cost 340 million
rubles; 10,000 hectares have been completed [irrigated] up to now.
A total of 4,000 kilometers of irrigation ditches have been dug as
part of the Crimean irrigation project. The total area covers 1.5 million
hectares, of which 60,000 hectares have now been improved. It is planned
that the DNYEPR River will provide 350 cubic meters of water per second
for irrigation; it now supplies 63 cubic meters per second.
The director of the institute said that working conditions at the
institute were unfavorable and crowded, but were to be improved. Of
primary importance, however, is housing construction for employees which
is now being carried out.
Botanical Institute in KIEV
Professor SEROV, director, outlined the work of the institute which
has existed in its present form since 1931, is under the Academy of
Agricultural Sciences, USSR, and is divided into the following departments:
morphology and higher plant systems; lower plant systems (alga and lichen);
microbe plants; geo-botany; embryology and cytology; and physiology.
The large number of publications issued by this and the other in-
stitutes is particularly noticeable. For example, a ten-volume com-
pilation on the flora in the Ukraine is being published, seven volumes
of which have already appeared; about 5,000 higher plants are described.
The total plant collection at the institute comkises about 400,000 pages.
Additional material has been published on alga, mosses and mushrooms,
plant types, bread grain varieties, and the history of higher plant
embryology.
Ukrainian marshlands and the planting of protective hedgerows were
discussed from a geo-botanical viewpoint. A new work on Ukrainian
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marshlands, including mineral content of the soil, by Frau Professor
BRADIS, will be sent to delegation members when it is published. Ukrainian
peat is about 80-percent eutrophic in character, mixed with mesotrophic
features. The peat-impoverished marshlands typical of northwest Germany
is not found in the Ukraine. The marsh and peat are divided into the
following main types: oligotrophic, eutrophic (80 percent), and
alkalitrophic (carbonate).
Geographically, the Ukrainian marshes are dominantly eutrophic in
the POLESSYE area. In the northern forest steppe area, alkalitrophic
marshland predominates. In the actual steppe area of the southern
Ukraine, marshland is found in the Dnyepr and Donets steppe district.
Peat is produced from this land, but since about 1930, successful systematic
agricultural utilization of the land has taken place.
Peat is removed until the mineral base is reached and then fish
ponds, if anything, are built.
Ministry of Land Improvement. MIA?SK (34 and 15 May 1957)
The ministry is divided into the
1. Investment Department
2. Department for Mechanization and Land Improvement Machine
Station
3. Utilization of the Drainage Systems
Maintenance of the systems is administered by the land improvement
departments in the areas. Construction of drainage systems is done by
the land improvement machine stations.
4. Technical Control Department
5. Planning and Finance Department (sets up Five-Year Plans and
long-range plans up to 15-20 years)
6. Material Supply and Accounting Department
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Plans for projec s up to
300)000 rubles in value are endorsed by
the area administration; projects valued at less than 10 million rubles
are endorsed by the Ministry R )r Land Improvement; those valued at less
than 30 million rubles are endorsed by the Council of Ministers of the
Belorussian SSR, and those valued at over 50 million rubles are endorsed
by Moscow. The setting up of projects is discussed in the Ministry of
Land Improvement, and project planning is undertaken by an institute
under the Ministry, where planning is done by:
1. A research department, which carries out examinations in
the area, including topographical surveying. A classification of the
soil ,t.ruct re A;
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forest soil, marsh soils, and alluvial soil. Depending on the type of
water inflow, various bog types have been established: in northern USSR,
peat bogs with atmospheric precipitation, and in southern USSR, with an
underground water supply. Several institutes participate in the pre-
liminary work on a project, thich may last 2!to 5 years.
2. A planning department, which sets up the actual projects;
there is a chief engineer for each project planning group.
3. A technical department concerned with planning, accounting, etc.
4. An accounting department.
A land improvement department, consisting of 5-7 engineers, exists
in each area, and there is a chief land improvement officer (Obermeliorator)
3""' L Cr prod ects in cooperation with
the kolkhoses. In addition to the land improvement machine stations,
there is a hydrotechnical engineer in each MTS, as well as in the land
improvement machine stations, who is concerned with the agricultural
water supply.
Total land to be improved in the Belorussian SSR amounts to 4.5
million hectares of marshy soil and 2.5 million hectares of partly peat
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and partly mineral soil. This represents 21 percent of the agriculturally
usable land. The PRIRTET River has a flow of 300 cubic meters of water
per second, and flooding takes place over an area up to 40 kilometers
wide.
Highland marshes are used for cultivation, as well as for fuel peat
removal, and for wood production if the area is no more than 50-percent
forested. The areas are drained, and the process is referred to as
"forest land improvement." There are five different forest formations.
Marshland Experimental Station in MIN3K
This station was founded in 1912 and is now a branch of the Institute
for Land Improvement and Water Economy in MINSK. The total area covers
150 hectares, of which 120 hectares are marshland. Drainage was in pro-
cess from 1912 to 1926.
It was noted at the Minsk station that high yields are also attained
in areas where ground water level is low. A pump station which supplies
water to 14INSK has lowered the ground water level in part of the area to
3.5 meters below ground, while the rest of the area has a ground water
level of 0.5-1.5 meters below ground.
The depth of the peat varies between 0.7 and 1.2 meters and is
underlaid with loam or medium-to-coarse sand. Crop rotation is as
follows: 4-year grassland, and 5 years of planting with one-year crops,
such as winter grain, summer grain (including wheat), potatoes, and
industrial crops. A large number of experiments are carried out, partic-
ularly, tests as to the cultivation potential and background of individual
agricultural crops. Results of experiments are given in the literature
brought back by the delegation.
Regardless of the ground water level, the following yields are
attained, (in kilograms per hectare): potatoes, 30,000-45,000; forage
VnL
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beets, 62,500; sugar beets, 37,000; carrots, 40,000-100,000; winter
rye, 3,000-3,500; summer rye, 3,000-3,500; summer wheat, 2,500-3,500;
and two cuttings of hay, 1,300. The following fertilizer amounts were
given, (in kilograms per hectare): potash, 120-180; P205, 60-90; and
pyrite (with a 0.1-0.4-percent copper content) 500 every 5 years. In
addition, the soil is injected with bacteria.
In grassland seeding (with a nurse crop of oats and re), a 20-22-
kilogram mixture is used per hectare, with ~imothy predominating. Plant-
ing is carried out as early as possible. Seeding done one day later than
25 April can reduce yields by 30-100 kilograms per hectare. Red and white
cattle are maintained, and milk production averages 4,450 kilograms per
cow per year.
The CRESSA and BWO Kolkhoz Drainage Area
The ORESSA area lies in the Pripyat Swamps about 150 kilometers south
of MINSK. The Oressa River empties into the PTITSH River, which, in turn,
empties into the PRIPYAT River. The emptying of the Pripyat into the
DNYEPR cannot be regulated. In the years 1929-1932 the Oressa River,
between LYUBAN and URETSH, was regulated, and reclamation of the marsh
area was started. Now, particularly in 1958, repairs are necessary; all
canals must be deepened as a result of settling, and drainage, particularly
mole drainage, is planned for 1958. There are 48,000 hectares of drained
marshland [in tie LRayon? ].
the lack of canal foundations, and erosion was noted near Lyuban where the
Oressa River was regulated but had no foundation [structure]. Bucket
elevators are not in existence, since there are no sources of energy.
Mole drainage has proven successful, and wooden drainage has lasted for
about 30 years. The first experiments in the drainage area were made by
the Academy about 100 years ago. A new work on bog settling by the Pole
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?" E 1
OSTROMENSKI is available. Weak kolkhoses can receive a state subsidy
for 50-percent of the cost of building side canals and drainage channels.
Per-hectare building costs for drainage and canals amount to 2,500-3,500
rubles and to 800-1,500 rubles, excluding drainage. In general, costs
are not as high as they are in the Ukraine, since reinforced concrete is
not used to such an extent.
The Boo Kolkhoz lies in the Oressa drainage area. It was founded
by soldiers in 10.30 when the first reclamation work was started. At
present, the kolkhoz covers about 11,000 hectares or seven villages, of
which 7,000 hectares are marshland; 4,600 hectares of marshland and 600
hectares of sandy soil is being agriculturally utilized. Crop rotation
is as follows: grassland planting (4-6 years), potatoes, summer grain,
and hemp, the latter one of the chief sources of income for the kolkhoz
which operates a hemp processing plant and also a brickworks. An electric
power plant is operated on the basis of refuse from the hemp plant. Hay
yields average ),000-7,000 kilograms per hectare; summer rye, 29,800
kilograms per hectare; winter rye 3,500-4,000 kilograms per hectare; and
hemp yields, 1,400 kilograms per hectare; potatoes, 20,000-22,000 kilo-
grams per hectare; and milk yields per cow, 4,200 liters per year. The
following amounts of fertilizer are allotted (per hectare): 300 kilo-
grams of 40 percent potash; 300 kilograms of 16-percent phosphoric acid;
and an additional 80 kilograms of nitrogen fertilizer for hemp and
600-700 kilograms of pyrite fertilizer. Mineral soil is fertilized with
40 tons of peat and manure mixture per hectare. Precipitation averages
ho0-720 millimeters annually. Income from animal breeding operations is
to increase from 3 million rubles [now] to 11 million rubles by 1960
and income from hemp cultivation is to increase from 21 million to 37
million rubles [by 1960]. Also, 3,000 more hectares of land are to be
made arable.
M
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VOL.:AR E rerimental Drainage Field (on the Sloust [Sluch?] River)
Drainage installations here are still being constructed. The follow-
ing per-hectare crop yields have been attained: 4,200 kilograms of hay;
35,000 kilograms of potatoes; and 2,000 kilograms of oats.
the square-
cluster method of planting potatoes should be used more on uncultivated
soil rather than on highly-cultivated soil. In the course of cultivating
the Minsk experimental fields, the mineral content of the soil has in-
creased from 6-8 percent in 1920/1924 to 15-18 percent at present. The
per-hectare organic mass loss is figured at 600-800 tons. The delegation
was given a publication by S. G. SKOROPANOV and M. M. SCHABONINA which
deals with agrarian-technical results of meadowland cultivation over a
period of several years in peat bog soil.
Institute for Land Improvement and dater Economy in MINSK (17 May 1957)
The Institute was organized in 1930 on the basis of the Minsk Marsh
Experimental Station and concerns itself with drainage and marshland
utilization. The Institute is divided into 13 departments which consist
of two work groups: the engineering group, concerned with water equaliza-
tion (Wasserbilanz) and methods of water regulation; and the agronomic
group concerned with initial cultivation and utilization of land. The
Institute employs a total of 138 persons, and has three experimental
stations, including the one in Minsk, one in KOSSUVA in the Brest area,
and a new one in the POLESSYE area. In addition, four production ex-
perimental stations are located in sovchoses.and kolkhoses in the VOLIM'IAR,
CRESSA, and WINLITSEN marshland area, and in mineral soil in the KARINKA
area. The MINSK Institute way well equipped for water research and had
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CONF163, .-V ! '4
several pieces of equipment which had been developed at the institute
itself. By means of radio-activity, research on water and nutritive
material movement was carried on. Highland marshland in the USSR is used
only for fuel peat; and because of the largely uncultivated expanses of
lower marshland, there has been no need to develop means of cultivating
highland marshes; this need does exist in Germany, however.
The report explains work being done by the science candidate,
IVITSKI, in figuring drainage flow, the distance and depth of drains,
evaporation, drainage norms, etc. [ higher yields
depend less on the ground water level than on the small range between the
maximum and minimum level, as shown at the MINSK Institute
Visit with PR(E'ESSOR LUPINOVI CH President of the Academy of Agricultural
Sciences Belorussian SSR
the professor
explained the newest viewpoint
[summarized in the report] on marshland classification, part of which he
lectured on at the International Soil Society Conference in Paris. The
visit was worthwhile, insofar as it affirmed the marshland utilization
attempts being undertaken in [East] Germany and showed the importance
of continued close contact between East Germany
and Soviet scientists in this field, although complete agreement on
marshland classification was not reached.
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