Analysis soil texture by Feel Method

Soil texture was recognised from very early times by experienced farmers from the "feel" of moist soil placed between the thumb and the forefinger.  The soil may be smooth or fine or it may be coarse or gritty.  In the former case the soil is composed dominantly of small sized particles whereas in the later case the particles are of bigger size. Thus the feel of gritty, sticky or smooth characterises sand, clay and silt, respectively. When this soil is extruded between the thumb and the forefinger to make a "ribbon", the longer the ribbon the more the clay in the sample. The accuracy of the determination by this method depends on the experience of the field worker.