The sample of subsoil is obtained in the same manner. If the field
presents notable differences in surface or fertility all the samples
taken should be examined separately.
=64. Method of Whitney.=[48]—An ordinary wood auger, 2½ inches in
diameter is so arranged as to admit of additions to the stem to enable
the operator to take samples at different depths. It may be fitted with
a short piece of gas pipe for a handle and the several pieces of which
it is composed may be taken apart and carried in a knapsack.
In taking a soil sample the boring is continued until a change in color
shows that the subsoil has been reached. The auger cuts a very clean
sample save in excessively sandy soil. After the soil sample is secured
the hole is cleaned out and the sample of subsoil taken by the same
instrument. The soil is conveniently preserved in heavy cloth bags of
which the usual size is 6 by 8½ inches. Where larger samples are
required the size of the bag is correspondingly increased. Each bag is
to be tagged or labeled to correspond with the entry in the note book.
Samples to determine the amount of empty space in a soil are taken as
follows: The sampler is a piece of brass cylinder about nine inches long
and about 1½ inches in diameter. A piece of clock spring is soldered in
one end and sharpened to give a good cutting edge. This arrangement
permits the sample to pass into the cylinder without much friction. The
area enclosed by the clock spring is accurately determined and a mark is
placed in the cylinder six inches from the cutting edge. The cylinder is
driven into the soil to a depth of six inches, a steel cap being used to
prevent the hammer from injuring the cylinder. The earth is next removed
from about the cylinder with a trowel, and the separated cylinder of
earth is cut smoothly off by a sharp knife and removed together with its
brass envelope. The sample is taken to the laboratory in a cloth bag,
dried and weighed.
=65. Taking Samples for Moisture Determination.=—A number of brass tubes
is provided nine inches long and ¾ inch in diameter and with a mark six
inches from the bottom.
The tube is pushed down into the soil to the mark and the sample of soil
removed with the tube. There is but little danger of the sample dropping
out of the tube even in sandy soils. When the tube is withdrawn each end
is capped with a rubber finger tip making a perfectly air tight joint.
The tubes containing the samples can be kept several days with no fear
of losing moisture. This method is especially useful in having samples
taken by observers in different localities who can enclose the tubes in
a cloth sack and send them to the laboratory by mail daily or at stated
intervals. A tube of the size given holds about fifty grams of soil.
=66. Taking Samples to Determine the Permeability of Soil to Water or
Air.=—Whitney[49] determines the permeability of soil or subsoil to
water or air in the following manner:
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