A LIVING FROM THE LAND 



tests, mainly of a physical nature by a com- 

 petent soils specialist, will prove of some 

 assistance in the treatment of the soil. Such 

 tests will show the presence of adequate amounts 

 of humus, and indicate the acidity content. 

 The soil texture will give some index of its crop 

 adaptability and thereby serve as a basis for 

 fertilizing treatment that will meet the needs 

 of both soil and crop. The practical man will 

 not expect any considerable aid from a highly 

 technical and costly chemical analysis of his 

 soil. 



Another factor that militates against worth- 

 while benefits of chemical soil analysis is the 

 great variation in soil types frequently occurring 

 in the same field. To attempt to draw a repre- 

 sentative sample by mixing soil from several 

 areas might result in a specimen that would 

 not be really typical of any area. For the 

 purpose of ordinary physical examination and 

 testing for acidity, representative soil samples 

 should be taken from several parts of the same 

 soil type, mixed together and a composite 

 sample for testing drawn from the mixture, 

 weighing not less than a pound in each case. 

 If the soil is quite apparently variable it may 

 be necessary to draw two or more composite 

 samples from the same area. Very helpful 

 service in intelligent soil treatment may be 



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