Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Western Society of Soil Science records, 1925-1998
Overview of the Collection
- Title
- Western Society of Soil Science records
- Dates
- 1925-1998 (inclusive)19251998
- Quantity
- 9 boxes, (4.5 linear feet)
- Collection Number
- UUS_COLL MSS 267
- Summary
- The majority of the Western Society of Soil Science records are secretarial files consisting of correspondence and meeting papers (1955-1987).
- Repository
-
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu - Access Restrictions
-
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
- Languages
- English
Historical NoteReturn to Top
The Western Society of Soil Science began in 1922 in Salt Lake City under the name Western Society of Soil Management and Plant Nutrition. A letter by D.S. Jennings, the original secretary-treasurer, states that the society was a result of a symposium on soil alkali held in conjunction with the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in Salt Lake City, June 22-24, 1922. Starting in 1923, the society became an official affiliate with the Pacific Division of the American Association of the Advancement of Science. In 1925 the society adopted its current name. The WSSS became affiliated with the Soil Science Society of America in 1950. In 1953 the society became the western branch of the SSSA, and in 1954 the WSSS also became the western branch of the American Society of Agronomy. The WSSS has also held joint meetings with the Western Society of Crop Science every third or fourth year since 1971. The objective of the WSSS, as stated in their bylaws, is to "promote research, teaching, and extension in soil science and plant nutrition in the geographical area of the Western Region of the United States and the western provinces of Canada, and to cooperate with other societies and organizations concerned with soil and plant nutrition problems in this area." The membership of the WSSS in 1994 was 243, consisting of academic teachers and researchers in the area of soil science and related fields (WSSS business meeting notes for 1994, box 7, Fd 13).
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Walter H. Gardner was vice president of the Western Society of Soil Science in 1965-1966 and then president for the years 1966-1967. Walter Gardner received his BS in 1939, his MS in 1947, and his PhD in 1950, all from Utah State University in physics. Agronomy News, in August of 1984, published the following profile:
WALTER H. GARDNER, professor emeritus, Washington State University, assumed the office of president of the Pacific Division of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Gardner is also presently serving as past president of the Soil Science Society of America. He is widely known for his research and writing in soil physics and soil-water-plant relations. His time-lapse motion picture, "Water Movement in Soil," is used worldwide as a teaching aid. (p.5) Gardner's correspondence is found throughout this collection reflecting his service in different positions and on different committees in the WSSS. He wrote a history of the Western Society of Soil Science in 1993 which is included in this collection (box 7, Fd 9). Gardner is responsible for collecting these WSSS records and encouraging the society to archive them at Utah State University.
Gardner has donated one other manuscript collection (MS 57) to Special Collections and Archives. This collection consists of WWII reports of US strategic bombing surveys and related information compiled by Captain Gardner when he served in the military.
Walter's father, Willard Gardner, was a professor of physics at Utah State and a world-renown soil physicist. Walter's cousins, Wilford and Eldon, were professors at Utah State. Eldon was dean of graduate studies and professor of zoology. Wilford received his BS at Utah State, and later in his career returned to teach soil science after teaching at Wisconsin, Arizona, and California Universities.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The majority of the Western Soil Science Society records are secretarial files consisting of correspondence and meeting papers (1955-1987). There are also programs, abstracts, newsletters, and papers in preparation for the annual meetings of the WSSS and the Pacific Division of American Association for the Advancement of Science (1947-1990). Three ledger books are included in this collection. The first two contain WSSS financial records for 1956-1975. The third book is a record of meeting attendance and notes for the Western Society of Soil and Science starting in 1935. Each book has a table of contents in the front.
The first three boxes contain programs, preliminary announcements, abstracts, bylaws, and a few letters, all for the annual meetings of the WSSS and the PDAAAS.
Boxes 4-7 are secretarial files compiled by the secretary-treasurer. (These secretarial files were in binders when they arrived at Special Collections and Archives. Their organization was retained during processing and the titles used previously are identified in brackets {} on the inventory.)
Box 4 holds the papers kept by C. D. Moodie while he served as secretary-treasurer, 1955-1958.
Box 5 consists of the papers and correspondence collected by Sterling J. Richards, secretary-treasurer 1958-1960, and the papers of Albert W. Marsh, secretary-treasurer 1960-1962.
Box 6 and 7 contain the papers and correspondence gathered by Sterling Olsen, secretary-treasurer 1962-1964 and other miscellaneous secretarial records from 1964 to the present.
Box 8 consists of the files of W. H. Gardner for the years 1976-1987 and various financial files. (These files are separated by year and arranged in chronological order, the most recent year coming first.)
Box 9 holds the rest of the financial records for the Western Society of Soil Science and the three ledger books. Books 2 and 3 contained loose papers, which were removed and placed in folders behind the books.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Western Society of Soil Science Records must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives department head.
Preferred Citation
Initial Citation: Western Society of Soil Science Records USU_COLL MSS 267, Box [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.
Following Citations: USU_COLL MSS 267, USUSCA.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Arranged by subject matter and in chronological order.
Processing Note
Processed in June of 2000.
Acquisition Information
This collection was donated to Special Collections and Archives by Wilford R. Gardner in 1998. Walter Gardner turned over these records to his cousin, Wilford, who apparently volunteered to oversee their transfer to Special Collections & Archives. Both Walter and Wilford were professors in the field of soil science and members of the WSSS.
Wilford Gardner, physicist and educator, graduated from Utah State University in 1949 with a BS He received hi MS from Iowa State University in 1951 and his PhD in 1953. Wilford has taught at colleges in Wisconsin, Arizona, California, and Utah. He has been a member and served on many committees for organizations in the field of soil science. Wilford donated his collection of files and materials to Special Collections and Archives in March 2000 (COLL MSS 269).
Related Materials
Captain Walter H. Gardner World War II papers, (1944-1950) COLL MSS 57
Bibliography
Some Notes From Western Society of Soil Science Records! composed by Walter H. Gardner in 1993 (box 7, fd 9).Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
File for Programs, Abstracts, other docs of Archive Value, 1953-1991Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 1 |
|
1954-1965 |
1 | 2 | Index - WSSS |
undated |
1 | 3 | Program
|
1947 |
1 | 4 | Program
|
1949 |
1 | 5 | Program
|
1950 |
1 | 6 | Program
|
1951 |
1 | 7 | Program
|
1952 |
1 | 8 | Program
|
1953 |
1 | 9 | Program
|
1954 |
1 | 10 | Program
|
1956 |
1 | 11 | Program
|
1957 |
1 | 12 | Program
|
1958 |
1 | 13 | Program
|
1959 |
1 | 14 | Program
|
1960 |
1 | 15 | Program
|
1961 |
1 | 16 | Program
|
1962 |
1 | 17 | Program
|
1963 |
2 | 1 | Program
|
1964 |
2 | 2 | Program
|
1965 |
2 | 3 | Program
|
1966 |
2 | 4 | Program
|
1967 |
2 | 5 | Program
|
1968 |
2 | 6 | Program
|
1969 |
2 | 7 | Program
|
1970 |
2 | 8 | Program
|
1971 |
2 | 9 | Program
|
1972 |
2 | 10 | Program
|
1973 |
2 | 11 | Program
|
1974 |
2 | 12 | Program
|
1975 |
2 | 13 | Program
|
1976 |
2 | 14 | Program
|
1977 |
2 | 15 | Program
|
1978 |
2 | 16 | Program
|
1979 |
3 | 1 | Program
|
1980 |
3 | 2 | Program
|
1981 |
3 | 3 | Program
|
1982 |
3 | 4 | Program
|
1983 |
3 | 5 | Program
|
1984 |
3 | 6 | Program
|
1985 |
3 | 7 | Program
|
1986 |
3 | 8 | Program
|
1987 |
3 | 9 | Program
|
1988 |
3 | 10 | Program
|
1989 |
3 | 11 | Program
|
1990 |
3 | 12 | Program
|
1991 |
Secretary-Treasurer Papers C. D. Moodie, 1955-1958Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
4 | 1 | Correspondence re: Stanford Meeting and other business; Moodie March |
1954 - 1957 May |
4 | 2 | Correspondence re: Seattle Meeting and other business; Moodie
{File on Recruitment and Miscellaneous Services for Period August 1955 to August 1958 C. D. Moodie}
|
1955-1956 |
4 | 3-4 | Correspondence (and note by Moodie about files)
{Secretary-Treasurers Correspondence re: 1956, 1957, 1958 Meeting and All other business except Recruiting and membership, C. D. Moodie}
|
1955 - August 1958 |
4 | 5 | Correspondence re: Stanford Meeting and other business; Moodie |
1957 October - 1957 June |
4 | 6 | Correspondence re: Logan Meeting and other business; Moodie |
1957-1958 |
WSSS Correspondence, 1958-1964Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
5 | 1 | Meeting |
1958 |
5 | 2 | General Correspondence |
undated |
5 | 3 | Symposium |
1958-1959 |
5 | 4 | Field Trip |
1959 |
5 | 5 | Correspondence |
1959 |
5 | 6 | WSSS classified correspondence |
1958-1959 |
5 | 7 | Correspondence Secretary-Treasurers {WSSS Correspondence Albert W. Marsh, Secretary-Treasurer} |
1959-1962 |
5 | 8 | Dues Correspondence |
1960-1961 |
5 | 9 | Address changes or additions [Address changes and New Member Corresp.] |
undated |
5 | 10 | Meeting Correspondence: Preliminary Announcement for 42nd Annual Meeting |
1961 June 19-23 |
5 | 11 | Dues Correspondence |
1961-1962 |
5 | 12 | Address Changes or Additions |
undated |
5 | 13 | Meeting Correspondence: Albert W. Marsh |
1961-1962 |
6 | 1-2 | WSSS Correspondence
and 1963-1964 Sterling R. Olsen, Secretary-Treasurer
|
1962-1963 |
6 | 3-4 | Binder 2 - Officer Correspondence and Misc.
WSSS Binder 3 - Officer Correspondence and Misc 1981-91 and misc. other dates WSSS
|
1963-1969 |
6 | 5 | Correspondence 1924 |
1981-1992 |
6 | 6 | WSSS Meeting Minutes
Minutes for the American Society of Agronomy Business Meeting 1964
|
1981-1992 |
6 | 7 | Miscellaneous: WSSS Treasurers Report
news clipping, paper by Gardner - "The Study of Soils as a Liberal Art," agendas, Call for Papers, and forms {Misc. Secretarial records 1964-Present}
|
1982 June 23 |
6 | 8 | Regional Branch Officers H-B |
1964 December |
6 | 9 | Non-profit Organization Correspondence and originals |
undated |
6 | 10 | Tax Returns
First Return Filed - (1965 -1974 tax papers)
|
1965-1966 |
6 | 11 | Miller [?] |
1964-1966 |
7 | 1 | Young - Correspondence
Appendix B (Soil Science Records)
|
1966-1968 |
7 | 2 | Rawling - Correspondence, constitution and bylaws |
1968-1970 |
7 | 3 | Lewis - Correspondence
Annual Report and bylaws 1972, 1971 Annual Report
|
1972-1974 |
7 | 4 | Lewis
(Correspondence and bylaws 1973-1974)
|
undated |
7 | 5 | McNeal - Correspondence and meeting minutes
(Brian L. McNeal, 1974-1977)
|
1976-1977 |
7 | 6 | Two most recent years of correspondence |
1976-1979 |
7 | 7 | Minutes and correspondence |
1978-1980 |
7 | 8 | Loose papers: correspondence, news clipping, WSSS Record
[in envelope - from Walter H. Gardner to Wilford R. Gardner]
|
1992 September 5 |
7 | 9 | Letter with WSSS records |
1993-1998 |
7 | 10 | Early notes from AAAS |
1925-1933 |
7 | 11 | Bylaws of WSSS 1954, Correspondence [about WSSS] |
1957-1958 |
7 | 12 | Letters, WSSS Bylaws - revised |
1973 June 17 |
7 | 13 | Letters (1993-95), WSSS Business Meeting Minutes and a clipping from Agronomy News
[2 Binders], {PAC. DIV. AAAS W. H. Gardner File (1976-84) and (1985-1987)}
|
1984 August - 1994 |
7 | 14 | Letter from Alan E. Leviton: June 28, AAAS Council Meeting |
1976 June 14 |
7 | 15 | Bylaws for PDAAAS, meeting minutes and agenda for council meeting |
1978 |
7 | 16 | Correspondence, council meeting Agenda |
1979 June 6 |
7 | 17 | Correspondence |
1980 |
7 | 18 | Correspondence, meeting minutes, annual report |
1981 |
7 | 19 | Correspondence, agendas and minutes for meetings, Preliminary Announcement for the 63rd Annual Meeting, bylaws, notes, etc. |
1982 |
7 | 20 | Correspondence, budget papers, Preliminary Announcement for 64th Annual Meeting |
1983 |
8 | 1 | Correspondence, Directory for AAAS, misc. |
1984 |
8 | 2 | Correspondence, meeting agendas, misc. |
1985 |
8 | 3 | Correspondence and misc. |
1985 |
8 | 4 | Correspondence, meeting minutes and agendas, newsletters, misc. |
1986 |
8 | 5 | Correspondence, proposed budget |
1987 |
8 | 6 | Letter to Wilfred Gardner from William L. Pan
[discusses efforts to archive this collection at USU] Financial Records [includes some correspondence]
|
1998 August 6 |
Financial, 1958-1964Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
8 | 7 | WSSS Financial Statements
Compilation of C. D. Moodie's Records, Bank Statements and Receipts prior to September 1958
|
1958 |
8 | 8 | WSSS Financial Accounts
1959-60 Receipts and Statements
|
1958-1960 |
8 | 9 | WSSS Financial Accounts
1961-62 Receipts and Statements
|
1960-1962 |
9 | 1 | WSSS Financial Accounts Receipts and Statements |
1962-1964 |
9 | 2 | Financial Receipts |
1964 June - 1965 June |
9 | 3 | Financial Receipts and Statements |
1965 June - 1966 July |
9 | 4 | Financial Receipts and Statements |
1966 August - 1967 June |
9 | 5 | Financial Receipts and Statements |
1967 June - 1968 July |
book | |||
9 | 1 | Financial Record of Western Society of Soil Science |
1956 August - 1961 |
9 | 2 | Financial Record WSSS |
1960 - 1975 |
Folder | |||
9 | 6 | Loose paper removed from cover of Book 2 |
undated |
book | |||
9 | 3 | Western Soc. Soil Science Record of Attendance, Notes (filled 6/64) |
1935-1964 |
Folder | |||
9 | 7 | Loose papers that were removed from Book 3 |
undated |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Soil science--West (U.S.)--History.