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SCHOOL AND HOME GAKDENESfG 



that one pound of each soil, when saturated, held water as 

 follows : Sand, 4 ounces ; heavy clay, 8 ounces ; black garden 

 soil, 10 ounces; humus or marshy soil, 2 pounds. These fig- 

 ures illustrate the water-holding power of soils rich in humus. 



17. To Analyze a Soil. — In a wide-mouthed bottle or glass 

 jar place one inch of soil from the garden. Fill the vessel half full 

 of water. Place the hand over the bottle and shake the contents 

 vigorously for one minute. Then allow it to stand for an hour or 

 more. Examination will show the soil to be in several layers be- 



FlQ. 71. — Soils of different types may be tested in their water-holding powers 

 with such an outfit, by filling each chimney of soil with water until saturated. When 

 the dripping stops the amounts of water retained by them may be compared. 



neath the water. The heavy, coarse particles, as gravel and sand, 

 are at the bottom. Those finer than sand are above, and are called 

 silt. The finest are on top or are suspended in the water if it is yet 

 muddy. 



From this trial the student may form some definite idea 

 as to the proportion of sand, silt and clay. If there is 30 

 per cent of the combined silt and clay, the soil is considered 

 a very heavy one. If there is from 10 per Cent to '20 per cent of 

 silt and clay, the soil will be called a sandy loam. 



When soils are washed by falling water during heavy rains, 

 the sand is carried a less distance and is deposited first. The 



