TI. QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. | [1 Jaw., 1899. 
INSTRUCTIONS FOR TAKING AND COLLECTING OF SAMPLES. 
SOILS AND SUBSOILS. 
To obtain a fair average sample of the soil of a block of land, as near as 
possible, equal quantities of soil are taken from various parts of the fields. 
A sketch plan of the field, paddock, or block of land on which the samples 
were taken should accompany the samples, and the spots where samples are 
taken are marked on this plan and numbered. This sketch plan should also 
indicate position of roads, creeks, gullies, ridges, general fall of the land, &e. 
Should the soil in various parts of the block show a very marked 
difference, it will be necessary to divide the block into two, rarely in 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. 
At the places chosen for the taking of the samples the surface is slightly 
scraped with a sharp tool, to remove-any surface vegetation which has not as 
yet become part of the soil. 
Vertical holes from 10 to 18 inches square are dug in the ground toa 
depth of 2 feet 6 inches to 8 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 after- 
wards. 
Careful note of the appearance of the freshly cut soil and 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 
subsoil, as is the case in some places where the soil is of very great depth, 
this line of division is guessed approximately, or it is best to take the soil 
uniformly to a depth of 12 inches. 
With a spade a slice of soil is now cut off and put on toa clean bag. The 
same is done with the subsoil, 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. Careful note and description in each hole, asnumbered 
and marked on plan given, and the samples of soil collected on the one bag 
thoroughly mixed by breaking up any large clods, and about 10 lb. of the 
mixture put into a clean canvas bag, which is securely tied up and labelled. 
The same is done with the samples of subsoil collected on the other bag. 
All the samples collected are afterwards placed into a wooden box. 
It is important to use clean bags and clean boxes, and also that the 
samples should not be left in the neighbourhood of stables or manure heaps. 
A short description of the land must accompany the samples and the sketch 
plan. 
In the case of cultivated land, state how long the land was under 
cultivation, what crops were chiefly grown, result of such crops, was. any 
manure applied, when, and what sort, and in what quantities per acre. In the 
case of virgin soil, state if the land was heavily timbered or not, ringbarked, if 
scrub or forest land, what sort of timber was chiefly growing on the land. In 
all cases a description of the neighbouring land, outcropping rocks, &c., are of 
great value. Also state if the land is naturally or artificially drained or not; 
describe the land as regards its position to hills, roads, creeks, ridges, &c. 
Only by adhering strictly to these instructions, and by giving minute detaily, 
benefit can be derived from the soil analyses, 
