IV. SOIL AND SOIL PREPARATION 



23. CONTENTS OF SOILS 

 Object. To learn what substances are found in the soil. 



Apparatus. A trowel or shovel, a large pan or box, and a simple 

 magnifying glass. 



Method. Dig up a pan full of soil. Be sure not to go 

 too deep. Six or eight inches is about right for ordinary 

 top soil. 



Examine the soil to notice the following points: Does it 

 break up easily? Is it lumpy? Does it contain stones? 

 How does it feel to the hand? Is it gritty or soft? The 

 color ? 



Can you detect any organic remains, such as dead leaves, 

 decaying roots, etc., in it? 



Now examine a small portion with the magnifier. What 

 can you discover ? Look for grains of sand, particles of clay, 

 and vegetable remains. 



Conclusion. State what you find in the specimen studied. 



Suggestion. Examine soils from other places in the same 

 way. 



Query. How does garden soil differ from forest soil, 

 roadside soil, meadow soil ? How does the soil near the sur- 

 face differ from that farther down ? 



Examine the exposed surface where cellars or other exca- 

 vations are being made, and note how the soil changes in 

 color and make-up as the depth increases. 



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