ECONOMIC USE 35 



the section has been built up, it becomes possible to use rotary 

 samples, but only to use the "tops" of ranges, and thus to tell 

 when a horizon may have been reached. 



In examination of samples the "wet method" advocated by 

 Driver may be found useful. Many species show their characters 

 much better when wet than when dry, and this method is useful 

 from this point of view as well as being a time saver over that 

 which requires the material to be dried before examination. The 

 appearance of specimens is very different in liquid from what 

 it is when dry, and a change of samples from one method to the 

 other is not advocated. 



In speeding up the handling of specimens, the procedure 

 adopted in this laboratory by Earl A. Trager will be found 

 useful. Where many samples are to be handled, the containers 

 are of the same size and shape so as to pack to take up as little 

 space as possible. Each container has its own number. This 

 "pan number" becomes the key to the sample. The data from 

 each sample is written on a sheet and each sample given its "pan 

 number." The specimen is then put to soak in its pan, samples 

 washed as they are ready, and transferred to a filter paper on 

 which the "pan number" is again written. When dry, the "pan 

 number" is inserted in the container and comparison with the 

 original sheets gives the person making the examination the full 

 data to substitute for the "pan number" which is then ready for 

 the next lot. It has been found possible by this method to have 

 a great many samples under preparation at one time without 

 fear of loss of data or of trouble in keeping labels dry or with 

 their proper sample. It saves much clerical labor and makes for 

 speed in handling material. 



