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Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils

NOTE:  The Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils, Version 2.0, September 2002 is now available in hard copy form. This version corrects minor errors in the original 1998 version 1.1 and substantially updates the contents based on related source documents.  Please discard copies of any earlier version.  Additional upgrades can and will occur that will replace all or part of this document.  Minor upgrades will have a new date at the bottom of each updated page.  Major upgrades will also have a different version number.  Users are responsible for the prompt and correct application of the most current information.

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Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils v2.0 (PDF; 1.5 MB)

Foreword

Acknowledgments

How to obtain hard copies of the Field Book

Hard copies (waterproof, 6 x 8 inch binder) can be obtained from 2 sources:

1) US Government Printing Office (GPO). You can either:

  • Call their toll-free phone number: (1-866--512-1800).
    Ask for stock #001-000-04706-0 (Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils).
  • On the internet go to the GPO bookstore and search for "soils" or "field book for describing soils". The cost is $24.00 (including shipping and handling). Rush delivery available.

2) A limited number of courtesy copies are available to members of the National Cooperative Soil Survey from the National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, NE. Contact Doug Wysocki.

The Present Science and Art of Soil Description

This information comes from the Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils by Schoeneberger, Wysocki, Benham, and Broderson, 2002. The printed Field Book is published on 4"x7" waterproof paper in a six-ring, loose-leaf binder similar to those used for Color Books. The major sections address Site Description, Soil Profile Description, and Geomorphology, with additional information in sections on Geology, Soil Taxonomy, Locations, Field Sampling, and Miscellaneous topics such as conversion of units. The Field Book is also tabbed for quick, easy reference.