MECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF SOILS. 195 



to make examinations which will indicate the course of im- 

 provement. They may learn all that is absolutely essential 

 to the highest success in their profession, and that which 

 will not only prove the means of a competency for themselves 

 and families, but which will also furnish the highest means 

 of intellectual and moral improvement, and the sources of 

 increasing influence and happiness. This section will there- 

 fore be devoted to the description of several modes of analy- 

 sis, for the purpose of learning the composition of various soils. 

 It may serve also to convince the farmer, that whether he 

 is able to adopt any of the modes himself or not, the subject 

 is one which appeals, not only to his intelligence, but to his 

 interest, and to the dignity of his profession. 



I. Mechanical analysis and tests. 



The mechanical analysis of soils may be performed by 

 any man " capable of driving a team or holding a plough." 



Apparatus. The apparatus required for a mechanical 

 separation of the particles of a soil, are 1st, two sieves,* one of 

 copper wire, with meshes -^^ of an inch square, and the oth- 

 er of fine gauze, with meshes -^^^ of an inch in diameter. 2d, 

 A glass jar, or common glass bottle. 3d, A balance, capable 

 of turning with a grain weight, and a set of weights, from 1 

 to 1000 grains.^ The whole need not cost more than fifteen 

 or twenty dollars. 



Process. Having selected 1000 grains of soil to be an- 

 alyzed or tested, heat it, for twenty minutes, at a tempera- 

 ture just below that at which straw turns brown, so as to 

 evaporate the water. Weigh the soil again, and the loss 

 will give nearly the quantity of water which the soil is ca- 

 pable of absorbing. It is important to note this, as some 

 knowledge may be obtained from it, useful to the farmer. 

 For example, it is found that those soils which absorb the 



* Sieves brought from Canton, and sold by apothecaries, 

 the purpose very well. 



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