PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SOILS 



MECHANICAL COMPOSITION OF SOIL TYPES 9 



1. A heavy wheat soil from the Red River Valley, the clay 

 consists largely of disintegrated limestone. 



2. Medium wheat soil from Western Minnesota. 



3. A loam soil adapted to grasses and grains. From Minnesota 

 Experiment Station. 



4. A corn soil from Southwestern Minnesota. 



5. A potato soil from Eastern Minnesota. 



17. Sandy, Clay, and Loam Soils. Ordinarily in 

 agricultural literature, the term 'sandy,' 'clay,' or 'loam' 

 is used to designate the prevailing character of a 

 soil. Sandy soils usually contain 90 per cent or more 

 of silica or chemically pure sand. The term ' light 

 sandy soil ' is sometimes used to indicate that the 

 soil is easily worked, while 'heavy clay' means that 

 the soil offers great resistance to cultivation. Many 

 soils which are clay-like in character are not composed 



