26 LABORATORY MANUAL OP AGRICULTURE 



inches in the same manner as that described in taking the 

 first and the second foot samples. 



Samples from at least three holes on both the cultivated 

 and the uncultivated fields should be secured. The soil from 

 each of the three holes for the first foot of the cultivated 

 field should be placed in the same mason jar. A second 

 mason jar should be used for the three samples from the 

 second foot, and a third mason jar for the three samples from 

 the third foot. 



On the uncultivated field three samples from the first 

 foot should be placed in one mason jar, three samples from 

 the second foot in another jar, and the three samples from 

 the third foot in a third jar. Thus for the two fields six 

 jars will be required, and each jar will contain a composite 

 of three soil samples. 



See that all jars are properly labeled, and that the tops 

 are screwed on tightly, so that no soil moisture can escape 

 by evaporation. 



Take the samples into the laboratory and set them aside 

 for the next laboratory period. 



At the next laboratory period determine the moisture in 

 duplicate for each sample of soil secured. Before the jars 

 are opened to take the samples for the moisture determina- 

 tions, the contents should be thoroughly mixed by shaking. 

 The shaking cannot be done too thoroughly. 



Number a drying pan to correspond with the sample 

 of soil to be studied. Weigh this pan and record the weight. 

 Weigh into the pan 200 grams of the soil. In the same 

 manner weigh out another 200-gram sample of the same 

 soil as a duplicate. 



