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Columbia, Mo. Tribune
Thurs., June 10, 1965

[photograph]
[caption]
Shown with a plaque which was preresented to the University of Missouri this morning designating Sanborn Field as a national historic site are, from left, Dr. Wilfred D. Logan of the National Park Service; Dr. George Smith, professor of soils at the university; Pleasant Smith of Mexico, Mo., a member of the university's Board of Curators: and Dr. Elmer El1is, president of the university
(Tribune photo.)

Sanborn Field Becomes Registered U.S. Landmark as Bronze Plaque Is Presented

Sanborn Field and the soil erosion plot of the University of Missouri became a registered national historic landmark of the Department of the Interior in ceremonies at Sanborn field, oldest agricultural experiment field west of the Mississippi River today. The field is at College Avenue and Rollins Street.
The experimental field is divided into 44 tenth-acre plots where various cropping pactices extend back 76 years. Nineteen of the plots have been operated though the full period with no change in the soil and under various cropping practices produce from 12 to 145 bushels of corn, 11 to 58 bushels of wheat, 31 to 47 bushels of oats, and 3700 to 12,000 pounds of hay.
On plot 23, planted continuously to timothy with no soild treatment since 1888, was found a soil sample from which streptomyces aureofaciens was isolated and developed into the drug aureomycin.
The various plots have been used to prove beneficial effects of some farm practices, but also to show fallacies and shortcomings of others. On a nearby field the first water run-off experiments were begun in 1917 to provide the first records available on soil erosion when soil conservation forged into the picture.
A bronze plaque marking the site historically was presented to the university by Dr. Wilfred D. Logan of the National Park Service and was accepted by Pleasant Smith of Mexico, Mo,. a university curator.
President Elmer Ellis, as speaker at the dedication, pointed out that history of the field was made by people and that Sanborn field was not of any particular soil type that made it outstanding.
"The biggest benefits are yet to come from important research of the last 15 years," he said.
As to the individuals who made the field important, Ellis referred to Hans Jenny with studies on climatic effect on nitrogen accumulation; Dr. W.A. Albrecht's role in soil fertility; Dr. Ellis Graham's devising of soil testing methods, B.W. Dugger and the discovery of aureomycin; C.M. Woodruff with his proof of half-life of organic matter; G.W. Wagner and his studies on humus; and Dr. George E. Smith who developed possibilities of soil rejuvenation.