APPENDIX B. 



SUMMARY DIRECTIONS FOR SOIL EXAMINATION IN THE 

 FIELD OR ON THE FARM. 



WHILE the general principles upon which the cultural value and adap- 

 tations of lands should be judged, have been given in the text of this 

 volume, it seems advisable to summarize their practical application to 

 land examination here, for convenient reference. 



The directions given in Appendix I for the sampling of soils having 

 been carried out, the samples so taken may be subjected to farther 

 examination by any intelligent farmer to good purpose, and often with 

 great saving of time and expense. 



Spread the samples from the several depths in regular order upon a 

 table or bench, and note the differences in color and texture apparent to 

 the eye or touch, and whether they will or will not crush readily between 

 the fingers, wet and dry. Whatever the fingers can do, can similarly be 

 done by the harrow, cultivator, clod crusher or roller. 



The tilling qualities of the surface soil and immediate subsoil are the 

 first and most important matter to be ascertained ; including especially 

 their behavior to water. Place some airdried lumps in a shallow dish 

 with a little water ; observe whether they take up the water quickly or 

 slowly, and whether in so doing the lumps fall to pieces or retain their 

 form. Slow penetration, and maintenance of form, will at once indicate 

 a soil somewhat refractory and difficult to till ; while if the water is taken 

 up easily and the lump falls to pieces, the land is easily cultivated and 

 will absorb the rainfall and irrigation water readily. The darkening of 

 the tint on wetting will also give an approximate idea of its humus- 

 content. 



Then take a wetted lump and work it between the fingers and on 

 the palm of the hand, until its " stickiness " or adhesiveness ceases to 

 increase. This " hand test " is of first importance and in skilful hands 

 will largely supersede the need of elaborate mechanical analysis. It 

 will at once enable the operator to classify the soil as a light or heavy 

 loam, clay loam or clay soil ; it will show directly what will be the result 

 of plowing the land when wet, the liability to the formation of a plow- 



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