Sample preparation - drying and grinding

General Discussion
Soil samples are received in a pre-purchased mailer which has an attached envelope containing a
sample background information sheet. Sets of forty-nine (49) samples plus one (1) control sample can
be prepared at one time; however, one may prepare a set with less samples if desired. A "flat" of fifty
(50) small cardboard boxes numbered consecutively is assigned a set number. The sample
background information sheet is removed from the envelope, and placed in a binder. The soil sample
is placed in a cardboard box within the flat, and the background information sheet is assigned the
number of the set and box number. One box is chosen at random, and into that box is placed a "check
sample" which consists of a control or master soil of known nutrient concentration. Once filled, the
"flat" is placed in an oven at 50oC and dried overnight. The dried samples are mechanically crushed
and passed through a 20 mesh sieve. The crushed and sieved sample is placed back into the set box
and submitted to the laboratory. The binder containing the background information sheets is submitted
to the lab office for data entry.
Apparatus
1. Safety Glasses

2. Wood Flat, 6 cm H x 74 cm W x 37 cm D.

3. Cardboard Box, 7 cm H x 6 cm W x 6 cm D; fifty boxes per flat

4. Soil crushing machine and sieve assembly, as described by Carpenter, or acceptable

substitute.

5. Oven, forced draft, capable of maintaining a temperature of 50oC.

6. Binder, 3 ring type.

7. Stamping machine, capable of consecutive numbering.

8. Felt-tip marker, labels, scissors or safety knife.

9. Sieve, 20 mesh.

Procedure
1. Place fifty cardboard boxes in the flat, 5 rows of 10 each, and label consecutively 1 through
50.

2. Note bag number on the mailer, and arrange the samples in a numeric order, keeping
samples with similar series of numbers together.

3. Remove sample information sheet from the envelope, and check that the number on the sheet
matches the number on the bag.

4. Inspect the information sheet, looking especially for the "no till pH" analysis. If this analysis is
requested, there must be two (2) samples in the sample bag.

5. Place the information sheet in a three-ring binder, left side, face down. As more samples are
processed, each information sheet will be added to the binder, so it is important that the soil in
box #1 corresponds to the first information sheet in the binder. Try to put "Home Garden, Turf
and Ornamental" samples at the end of the set.

6. Cut through the mailer bag and plastic liner with a pair of scissors or safety knife. Fill the
cardboard box with the soil sample.

7. Repeating steps 2 through 6, process the remaining soil samples. NOTE: Select any box at
random, and add to it a portion of master soil. Place a sample information sheet in the binder
 corresponding to the position of the box number containing the master. This sheet should only
identify which master soil was used.

8. When all samples are processed, or the flat is full, the flat must be assigned a set number.
The information sheets are stamped with the set and box number in the upper right corner of
the sheet corresponding to the position in the flat.

9. Place the flat in a forced-draft oven set at 50oC, and dry overnight.

10. CAUTION: Safety glasses must be worn when operating the soil crusher. Start the crusher,
and position the sieve over the catch basin. Slowly pour the soil out of the box onto the belt of
the crusher.

11. Remove the catch basin, and pour the crushed sample back into the cardboard box. Portions
of the sample that do not pass through the sieve need to be passed through the crusher until it
will pass through the sieve. Repeat procedure for each sample.

12. CAUTION: At times, a stone will get wedged in the rollers of the crusher. DO NOT put hands
or fingers near the rollers to remove obstruction!! Turn the machine OFF, activate the reverse
switch, and start the machine again. Once the obstruction is removed, stop the machine, place
in the forward position, and start again as in Step # 10.

13. Submit the set to the laboratory, and the information sheets to the office for data entry.

Reference
1. Carpenter, P. M. (1953), Equipment and Procedures for Efficiency and Flexibility in Soil
Testing Procedures., Maine Agr. Exp. Sta. Misc. Publication, No. 623.

Page established August 1, 1995. Text based on an original method last revised by G.A. Ferguson and M.C. McClenahan. To the best of
our knowledge the methodology is accurate, but we do not accept responsibility for any accidents or losses resulting from its
implementation. Text was marked-up, and is currently maintained by MNQ in accordance with the CALS-Web Style Guide. Page
updated August 1, 1995.

Copyright © 1995 Cornell Nutrient Analysis Laboratories