298 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



tent of the soil. These relations are being investigated for an ex- 

 pression that may be generally applicable. 



Eoiitine mechanical analyses of soil-survey samples have been con- 

 tmued. In addition an unusual demand has been made on the divi- 

 sion for outside work in the examination of sea-bottom samples for 

 the United States Geological Survey, material used in building leveea 

 on the Mississippi River, foundation materials from many sources, 

 reclamation lands, and court cases involving origin of the soil. 

 These, as examples, show the wide applicability of the mechanical 

 analysis. 



The regular work on the design and construction of apparatus has 

 been continued and a number of pieces of such apparatus completed 

 for use in our laboratories. 



