38i 
Should the soil in various parts of the block show a very marked 
difference, it will be necessary to divide the block into two or more 
parts. Should the different soil occur only in a small patch this 
sample may be left out. 
Not less than three samples should be taken in each section. A 
greater number is to be preferred, as a better average will be obtained. 
In order to obtain a fair average sample of the soil from a block of, 
land, as nearly as possible equal quantities of soil are collected from 
various parts of the field. 
the P^ces chosen for the taking of the samples the surface is 
$ ightly scraped with a sharp tool, to remove any surface vegetation 
which has not as yet become part of the soil, 
. Y er fJ Ca i h ° les fro ™ 10 10 18 lnches square are dug in the ground 
to a depth of 3 feet. The holes are dug out like post-holes ; an earth- 
auger facilitates the operation considerably, and the holes may be 
trimmed with the spade afterwards, and the holes cleaned out 
Careful note of the appearance of the freshly cut soil of any 
intermediate layer and of the subsoil should be taken. The depth of 
the real soil, which in most cases is easily distinguished, is also 
measured and noted for each hole. Note how deep the roots of the 
surface vegetation reach into the soil. If the soil changes gradually 
into the sub-soil, as is the case in some places where the soil is of very 
great depth, this line of division can only be guessed approximately, 
and it is best to take the soil uniformly to a depth of 12 inches. 
With a spade a slice of soil, from 3 to 4 inches thick, down to the 
beginning of the subsoil or to a depth of 12 inches, is now cut off and 
put on to a clean bag. The same is done with the sub-soil, and the 
slice is taken from where the soil ends (or 12 inches) to the bottom of 
the hole, and this subsoil placed on another bag. Stones over the 
size of a pea may be picked out, the rough quantity of such stones 
estimated, and a few enclosed with the samples. Fine roots must not 
be taken out from the soil samples. The same operation is repeated 
at the other places chosen. Take careful note and give description 
of soils m each hole, as numbered and marked on plan. The samples 
of soil collected on the (me bag are thoroughly mixed by breaking up 
any large clods, and about 10 lb. of the mixed soil are put into a clean 
canvas bag, which is securely tied up and labelled. The same is done 
with the samples of subsoil collected separately on the other bag. 
All the samples collected are afterwards placed in a wooden box. 
It is important to use dean bags and clean boxes, and also that 
the samples should not be left in the neighbourhood of stables or 
manure heaps. 
