EXERCISE 28 



JUDGING SOILS 



Statement. A soil is judged on the basis of its capacity to produce crops for a long time and accord- 

 ing to the kind of crops to which it is adapted. A farm is judged by its location (with respect to market, 

 church, and school), its improvements, the kind of people living in the community, and the character 

 of the roads, as well as by the quality of the soil. 



Object. To judge the soil of the neighborhood as a producing unit. 



Materials. Soil ; score card ; pencil. 



Directions. Make a study of certain types of soils of the neighborhood as producing units, evaluating 

 each on the basis of the points given on the score card. The student should be required to apply 

 all the soil knowledge he has thus far obtained in performing this task. 



In judging a soil note carefully the kind of rocks from which it is derived and learn the bearing of the 

 origin of a soil upon its value. The depth of the soil and the depth and nature of the subsoil are of 

 much importance and should be ascertained by observing the banks of gullies, roadway cuts and the 

 like. One of the surest indexes of the present productiveness of a soil is the character of the forest, 

 weed and crop growth, but this is not necessarily a safe guide to a knowledge of the wearing qualities 

 of land. The degree to which a soil is eroded or will be eroded when cultivated should be considered. 

 Proper drainage and the probabilities of injury from overflow should be considered. Note also the 

 degree to which the land has been worn by continuous cropping and tillage, and in making an estimate 

 of its value make due allowance for the time and money required to build the land up again. Take as 

 a standard a soil that is well drained, free from overflow, deep, friable. A soil which will not wash, 

 and which will produce a fair crop in wet and in dry seasons and a maximum crop in a favorable season. 

 Such a soil should be adapted to a variety of the leading crops of the community. 



Compare the student's estimate with the production of each type of soil in so far as it can be 

 ascertained or approximated. Repeat this work until the student has acquired soil judgment. 



Questions. What was the original growth of forests and other plants on the best soils of the neigh- 

 borhood ? What on the poorest soils ? What is the difference in the present weed and shrub growth 

 in these three grades of soil? Which soils have the largest proportion of legumes? Which the 

 largest proportion of plants common to sour soils, as sorrels and docks ? What is the difference in 

 the color of different soils of the community, and what relation do you find between certain soil colors 

 and productiveness ? What relation do you find between color and adaptation to special crops, such as 

 fruit trees, and why ? What textures of soil and subsoil do you regard as indicative of good orchard land ? 

 What is the depth and the color of the subsoil of each type of soil found in the neighborhood ? To what 

 extent has each been eroded or surface washed ? How does the slope or topography affect the value of 

 land? How does topography affect the degree of surface erosion? Does the exposure or direction of 

 the slope affect the quality and value of the soil? On which slope — the north, the east, the west, or 

 the south — do you find the deepest layer of soil and the largest plant growth ? Give reasons for what 

 you find in answer to these questions. Which slope would you prefer as a site for an orchard ? Why ? 



If you were purchasing a farm, describe fully how you would determine its value and on what facts 

 you would base your judgment. Make a map of the soils of a district based upon their adaptability to 

 the staple crops of the community. 



References. Waters, H. J. Essentials of Agriculture, pp. 62-63. Ginn and Company. Warren, G. F. 

 Farm Management, pp. 517-535. The Macmillan Company. Hunt, T. F. How to Choose a Farm, pp. 36-55. 

 The Macmillan Company. 



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