Photograph of a barn in the snow on Deer Lick Farm. The barn sits in the center of the lower third of the image, it faces to the right and "Deer Lick Farm" is seen written at the top of it. A tall tree stands in the foreground to the right of the barn and the moon is visible in the day sky on the left, a thick forest lines the background.

Clearing of forests, overgrazing, and soil erosion have greatly depleted the soil of the Ohio Valley in the United States. Farmers should implement agricultural practices that encourage the growth of sod, which has the potential to restore the soil. "The use of grass in increasing the productivity of farm land, in conserving soil on pasture and cropland, and in protecting smaller eroded or erodible areas is discussed in this bulletin." -- p. i