Gas chromatographic patterns of organic solvent-soluble constituents present in alkaline hydrolysates of organic matter from soils underlying native range and crested wheatgrass were qualitatively, but not quantitatively similar. The peak at 222°C or with a retention time of about 31 min was identified as bis(2ethylhexyl) phthalate. Larger quantities of the extracted compounds were obtained from the native range than from the crested wheatgrass soils. Fifty years was not long enough for organic matter of soil cultivated for only 5 years to regain its original quantitative chemical composition under the prevailing climatic conditions.