Photograph of the temporary repair in the levee of a drainage ditch that was clogged with silt and sand washed from the adjoining farm land during a recent heavy rains, contributed to record-breaking floods in OK and AR. The levee broke in four places. Joe Preston, administrative assistant, State Soil Conservation Committee is standing on the repaired break. In the center foreground H. M. Chambers, State Conservationist for the Soil Conservation Service, stands near the bottom of the ditch which has now silted up to a level above fields is seen in the background. OK-8524.

Photograph of sericea lespedeza on strip mine spoils on J. W. S. Bowers' farm.

Photograph of the St. Louis and Santa Fe railroad tracks that were washed 200 feet from the railroad during recent record-breaking floods on the Verdigris River. These tracks washed from the roadbed and completely across Hwy 66 before lodging against the trees. Most of the rails are bent out of shape. Photo shows Verdigris River between Tulsa and Claremore. OK-8543.

Photograph of H.H. Bennett, chief of the Soil Conservation Service, and F.S. Hurd, Chairman, Board of Supervisors, Arkansas Verdigris Soil Conservation District [SCD], examine an improved pasture on the farm of C.B. Ritberger. Ritberger says carrying capacity of this 88 acre pasture has been doubled since he improved it with the addition of hop clover, white Dutch, yellow hop and lespedeza. Ritberger first came to this 200acre farm as a tenant in 1928, he rented the farm for $700 from F.S. Hurd until 1938, when he bought the farm, paying $8000 cash. Starting with 2 cows in the diary business he has increased the herd to 40 Jerseys that average 20 pounds of milk per day, the year round. He also has 20 white-faced Herefords. His 92 acres of cultivated land are terraced and tilled on the contour. He has 12 acres of bluestem meadow and 2 acres of post lot. OK-8546.

Photograph of P.S. Hurd, Chairman, Board of Supervisors, Arkansas Verdigris's Soil Conservation District [SCD] and H. H. Bennett, Chief of the Soil Conservation Service examine some native little bluestem in the 12 acre meadow of the C.B. Ritberger farm. This meadow land is contributing a large amount of run-off to streams was formerly waste before Ritberger developed it under a plan worked out with the aid of technicians of the Soil Conservation Service assigned to assist the district. Grass today is helping to hold most of the rain on the land. OK-8548.

Photograph of six cows standing and grazing in a newly contoured and furrowed pasture consisting of Lespedeza and Bermudagrass. A barn and two other buildings stand in the background of photograph. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Cows grazing on newly contour furrowed pasture. Lespedeza sown between ridges and ridges set to Bermuda. Practice is justified because cows are not materially hurting the Bermuda through overgrazing."

Photograph of six cows standing and grazing in a newly contoured and furrowed pasture consisting of Lespedeza and Bermudagrass. A barn and two other buildings stand in the background of photograph. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Cows grazing on newly contour furrowed pasture. Lespedeza sown between ridges and ridges set to Bermuda. Practice is justified because cows are not materially hurting the Bermuda through overgrazing."

Photograph of Milton Gault, AC, SCS, looking at sericea lespedeza on strip mine spoils on J. W. S. Bowers farm. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Sericea lespedeza on strip mine spoils on J. W. S. Bowers farm. Seeded by aeroplane [sic] in 1950 at the rate of 8-10 lbs. per acre. The sericea is producing seed and in favorable years is spreading. It also furnishes flood and cover for quail and other wildlife. This is a part of his Conservation Plan as worked out by SCS technicians."

Photograph of a coal strip mine lake located on the Nick Robson ranch. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Water stored in coal strip mine lake by blocking ends and low places. Water used for livestock, irrigation, wildlife. Lake stocked with fish. This multiple use is part of his Ranch Plan with the Soil Conservation District and worked out by Soil Conservation Service technicians and Nick Robson."

Photograph of a UNIDENTIFED man inspecting black locust growing on strip mine areas near Boy Scout Troop 104 east of Broken Arrow. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Black locust growing on strip mine areas. In 1944 black locust was planted in a single row on the top of the spoil on 8-feet spacing within the row. All other growth has sprung or developed from that sprouting. This proves that black locust is a good plant to use in re-vegetating strip mine areas and also gives a good spread from roots; gives good food and cover for wildlife. Planned by SCS technicians."

Photograph of Close-up of management and harvest of loblolly pine for Christmas tree being grown on strip mine spoil area near Broken Arrow. The back of the photograph proclaims, “Close-up of management and harvest of loblolly pine for Christmas tree being grown on strip mine spoil area near Broken Arrow. Shows stumps where 3 Christmas trees have been harvested with killing the stump. This is part of the Conservation Plan with the District as worked out by Soil Conservation Service technicians.“

Photograph of Milton Gault, AC, SCS, looking at a red cedar tree growing on a strip mine spoils area at or near Boy Scout Troop 104 East of Broken Arrow. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Red cedar growing on strip mine spoils areas. Planted in 1944. Appears to have some applicability in re-vegetation. These spoils furnish income as Xmas trees, for recreation, wildlife and beautification. Milton Gault, AC, SCS, in picture."

Photograph of a UNIDENTIFED man (Milton Gault, AC, SCS") inspecting black locust growing on strip mine areas near Boy Scout Troop 104 east of Broken Arrow. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Black locust growing on strip mine areas. In 1944 black locust was planted in a single row on the top of the spoil on 8-feet spacing within the row. All other growth has sprung or developed from that sprouting. This proves that black locust is a good plant to use in re-vegetating strip mine areas and also gives a good spread from roots; gives good food and cover for wildlife. Planned by SCS technicians."

Photograph of hauling in Alfalfa hay. Total acres in farm: 200; pasture, gg: cultivation, 92, native meadow, 12; post lot, 2; farmstead, 2. Ritberger signed a cooperative agreement with the Arkansas Verdigris SCD July 25, 1940. Farm owner (on top of wagon) and Claud Ritberger, son, are hauling in alfalfa hay from the 10 acre field that produces an average of 4 tons per acre annually. Some sheet and gullly erosion were active on this field before alfalfa was establsihed in cooperation with the district. Superphosphate and lime were applied to this field before planting alfalfa.

Photograph of H.H. Bennett, chief of the Soil Conservation Service, and F.S. Hurd, Chairman, Board of Supervisors, Arkansas Verdigris Soil Conservation District [SCD], examine an improved pasture on the farm of C.B. Ritberger. Ritberger says carrying capacity of this 88 acre pasture has been doubled since he improved it with the addition of hop clover, white Dutch, yellow hop and lespedeza. Ritberger first came to this 200acre farm as a tenant in 1928, he rented the farm for $700 from F.S. Hurd until 1938, when he bought the farm, paying $8000 cash. Starting with 2 cows in the diary business he has increased the herd to 40 Jerseys that average 20 pounds of milk per day, the year round. He also has 20 white-faced Herefords. His 92 acres of cultivated land are terraced and tilled on the contour. He has 12 acres of bluestem meadow and 2 acres of post lot. OK-8546.

Photograph of cows on the Ritberger farm (remainng text to blurred and faded). OK-8547.

Photograph of F.S. Hurd, Chairman, Board of Supervisors, Arkansas Verdigris Soil Conservation District [SCD], and H. H. Bennett, Chief of the Soil Conservation Service examine some native little bluestem in the 12-acre meadow of the C.B. Ritberger farm. This meadow land contributing a large amount of run-off to streams was formerly waste before Ritberger developed it under a plan worked out with the aid of technicians of the Soil Conservation Service [SCS] assigned to the district. Grass today is helping to hold most of the rain on the land. OK-8548.

Photograph from L to R: W. L. Cotner; H. H Bennett, Chief, Soil Conservation Service [SCS]; and Elmer T. Peterson, of the Daily Oklahoma staff. These men are examining the silt and sand deposited by flood wates from the adjoining drainage ditch that broke in four places during recent heavy rains. One hundred acres of corn, cotton and vegetables were ruined by floods on this farm. Deposits of sterile sand a foot deep in some places are deposited on several acres of fertile farm land. OK-8525.

Photograph of Clarence Dye, aged 10, fishing off a culvert on Hwy 64 following recent record-breaking floods. This drainage-way is ordinarily dry. With flood water still on a part of his land, Mr. W. L. Cotner is seen in the background with his team replanting the 100 acres of corn, cotton, and vegetables destroyed when the levee broke. determined to produce his share of war crops this year, he returned to the field the first day possible--Memorial Day Sunday [when Memorial Day was celebrated on May 30, from 1868 to 1970]. OK-8526.

Photograph of Milton Gault (left) and Myrle Long (right) standing in a mixture of rye and wheat on M. E. Joyce's farm.

Photograph of Myrle Long standing in sweet clover on M. E. Joyce's farm.

Photograph of an UNIDENTIFIED man standing on a strip mine spoils next to some Loblolly pine trees. These trees are sold as Christmas trees resulting in $50.00 per acre per year in profits for the owner. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Loblolly pine on strip mine spoils. Spot planted by hand 8 years ago. Estimated 80% of survival resulted from initial planting. Began harvesting trees as Christmas trees three years after planting. The second and third crop tree has been harvested from many of the original plants, by proper management as worked out by SCS technicians. This stripped land is producing over $50.00 per acre per year in the sale of Christmas trees."

Photograph of Milton Gault, AC, SCS, looking at a red cedar tree growing on a strip mine spoils area at or near Boy Scout Troop 104 East of Broken Arrow. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Red cedar growing on strip mine spoils areas. Planted in 1944. Appears to have some applicability in re-vegetation. These spoils furnish income as Xmas trees, for recreation, wildlife and beautification. Milton Gault, AC, SCS, in picture."

Photograph of an UNIDENTIFIED man standing near some bald cypress trees planted eleven years ago near the water level of strip pit. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Bald cypress trees planted 11 years ago near the water level of strip pit. Probably has some use in re-vegetation of strip mine spoils for erosion control, recreation and wildlife. Part of Conservation Plan with aid of Arkansas-Verdigris SCD. Planned by SCS technicians."