Urauc 

 Date. 



(16) 



EXERCISE 2 



Taking Soil Samples 



Purpose. — To show students several methods of taking true samples of field 

 soils. 



PLAN 



1. Dig a hole with a spade to the depth of one foot (more or less if desired). 

 Place a folded newspaper or piece of oilcloth to form a pocket in the 

 bottom of the hole. Then with the spade shave off a uniform slice of 

 soil from top to bottom of one side of the hole. This slice should be 

 caught in the paper as it crumbles and should be saved as the sample. 

 If it is desired to test the soil for moisture content, sample should be 



Fig. 1. — Soil auger for obtaining soil samples at different depths. The bit should be about IH inches 

 in diameter. This auger may be had in short sections for ease in carrying when travelling considerable 

 distances. 



Fig. 2. — King type of soil sampling machine. The opening just back of the steel cutting edge is smaller 

 inside and the cylinder larger than the rest of the tube. This makes the tube more easily removed from the 

 soil, and the core of soil is removed from the tube by inverting it. The steel shown at the left is placed in 

 the tube and may receive the blows of a hammer. 



placed promptly in a wide-mouthed bottle or jar. It should be sealed to 

 prevent the escape of moisture. 



2. A common way of taking soil samples where great depth is necessary is 



to use a common auger, having an extra long shaft — the bit may be 

 from one to two inches in diameter. Special soil augers are made for 

 this purpose (Fig. 1). 



3. Soil sampling cylinders are also used for taking field samples (Fig. 2). 



They are made of heavy iron or steel tubing, sharpened at one end. Just 

 back of the sharp edge the opening is slightly constricted to compress 

 the core of soil so that it may be more easily removed from the tube. 

 The tube may be driven into the soil by the use of a sledge hammer or axe. 



