Fieldwork Techniques  6 of 7 Pages A Key for the Assessment of Soil Texture 1. When very moist to wet soil is handled between thumb and forefinger the predominant feeling experienced is that of :- (a) grittiness 2 (b) stickiness 3 (c) a smooth, soapy slipperiness or silkiness 7 (d) none of these 8 2. Gritty soils which when dry are usually loose or only very slightly coherent. Individual soil particles can be clearly seen with the eye or hand lens. On moulding a mass of moist soil in the hand- :- (a) the ball of soil formed will collapse on release of pressure as the material is non coherent SANDS (b) a coherent ball is formed but it breaks down as soon as it is gently touched with the fingers LOAMY SANDS (c) a coherent ball will form which will withstand moderate handling SANDY LOAMS Each of the above divisions can be subdivided into three classes on the basis of the size of the dominant soil particles - coarse sand, medium sand, fine sand. 3. Soils which are sticky and plastic when wet and usually hard when dry. When moist soil is pressed between thumb and forefinger it will give a polished surface and will draw out to form a "ribbon". When wet soil is thoroughly worked between thumb and forefinger the dominant feeling is one of stickiness but the material is also:- (a) significantly gritty 4 (b) significantly slippery or silky 5 (c) or essentially sticky without grittiness or silkiness 6 4. Soils which feel predominantly sticky but in addition are significantly gritty:- (a) moderately sticky and plastic when wet SANDY CLAY LOAM (b) very sticky and plastic when wet SANDY CLAY 5. Soils which feel predominantly sticky but in addition are significantly slippery or silky when wet are: - (a) moderately sticky and plastic SILTY CLAY LOAM (b) very sticky and plastic SILTY CLAY 6. Soils which are essentially sticky when wet without secondary feelings of grittiness or slipperiness. When wet are :-- (a) moderately sticky and plastic CLAY LOAM (b) extremely sticky and plastic CLAY 7. Soils which have a predominant soft soapy or slippery feel. When moist soil is pressed between thumb and forefinger it will not give a polished surface or be drawn out into a thin flexible "ribbon", but will give a broken furrowed appearance. When wet soil is worked between the fingers the soapy or silky feeling is distinctly noticeable:-   SILT LOAM 8. Soils which when moist mould readily and form moderately coherent balls of friable soil material. Wet soil material is very slightly sticky and plastic while the dry material is usually soft:-   SANDY SILT LOAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Page 6 of 7