CHAPTBE X 



EXERCISES WITH SOILS 



Ant one desiring to really understand the principles of 

 soil management will find the task much easier if a few 

 experiments are tried. For this reason a series of simple exer- 

 cises are suggested in this chapter. The application of the 

 lessons to the garden practice will not be difficult. 



1. Soil Sampling. — A spade may be brought by one of the 

 pupils. A sample from any field may be taken by digging a hole 

 to the depth desired. The sides of the hole should be as nearly ver- 

 tical as possible. Place a folded newspaper in the bottom of the hole 

 to catch the sample. With the spade, slice ofif a uniformly even 

 layer of soil from one side of the hole, remove this, crumble it nicely, 

 or, if convenient, sift it with a simple sieve. This may be made of 

 wire netting. The soil may be saved bj' placing it in a, tin can, cigar 

 box, or wide-mouthed bottle. If the sample is to be tested later for 

 moisture, it should be placed in a tightly closed vessel until tested. 



Soil samples are frequently taken for the purpose of having 

 them tested by Agricultural College experts^ or others, to 

 indicate their suitability to certain special crops. The sample 

 should be taken to the depth of the good soil. If a study of 

 the subsoil is to be made, a sample of that may be taken sepa- 

 rately, and in a similar way. Too much care cannot be 

 exercised in taking a sample, as a fair sample is necessary. 

 If the sample had too much or too little of the very top it 

 would not be fair. 



Samples may be taken of many parts of the same field and 

 studied separately or made up into one composite sample. 



2. Testing for Moisture. — Simple spring scales or family scales 

 may be loaned by one of the parents. Weigh one pound of soil from 

 a sample which has not been exposed to the air since it was taken 

 in the field. Spread the soil in a stove shovel or in a large wide- 



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