Circular No 6. 351 



to bottom, the full width of the spade and save this slice to 

 represent one of the partial samples. Pick out all stones larger 

 than ^ to i^ inch in diameter. 



These 10 to 15 small samples are to be mixed together in a 

 large box or on some clean boards. These several partial 

 samples when mixed will make from i to i}4 bushels of soil. 

 Mix thoroughly by stirring and shoveling over and over a 

 number of times; then of this thoroughly mixed soil take a sample 

 of three pecks and put it into the large sack that held the small 

 sacks of fertilizer. Tie it up tightly and keep until further no- 

 tice. To be of any use for analysis or experiments at the 

 Experiment Station, this sample must represent as accurately as 

 possible the whole area to be divided up into the nine plats, 

 before the fertilizers have been applied. 



Make a record as complete as possible of the field according 

 to the following plan: 



I — Location of Field. 

 a — Upland, 

 b — Lowland. (If lowland, do side hills wash down upon 



it ?) 

 c — Hillside, etc. 



II — Character of Soil. 

 a — Sandy, 

 b — Gravelly, 

 c — Clayey, 

 d — Loamy, etc. 

 e — How deep is surface soil ? 

 f — Is there a hard pan ; if so, how deep ? 

 g — Does soil hold moisture, or dry out rapidly? 



Ill — Fertility of Soil. 



a — Does soil possess the required amount of plant-food 



or does it "run down" quickly and need enriching ? 



b — Have manures or fertilizers been applied in past 



years ? If so, how often, what kinds and how 



often, what kinds and how much per acre? 



