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2. INFLUENCE OF SOIL

Soil is made up of fine particles of sand and rock and of vegetable matter called humus.
Soil
A tree will require a certain soil, and unsuitable soils can be very often modified to suit the needs of the tree.
Pine Sapling
A deep, moderately loose, sandy loam, however, which is sufficiently aerated and well supplied with water, will support almost any tree.
Loose Soil
Too much of any one constituent will make a soil unfit for the production of trees. If too much clay is present the soil becomes "stiff." If too much vegetable matter is present, the soil becomes "sour."

The physical character of the soil is also important. By physical character is meant the porosity which results from breaking up the soil. This is accomplished by plowing or cultivation. In nature, worms help to do this for the soil, but on streets an occasional digging up of the soil about the base of the tree is essential.
Plowed Soil
Humus or the organic matter in the soil is composed of litter, leaves and animal ingredients that have decayed under the influence of bacteria.

The more vegetable matter in the humus, the darker the soil; and therefore, a good soil such as one finds on the upper surface of a well-tilled farm has quite a dark color.
Dark Soil
When, however, a soil contains an unusual quantity of humus, it is known as "muck," and when there is still more humus present we find peat. Neither of these two soils is suitable for proper tree growth.
Barren Peat

Directions

Study the lesson for one week.

Over the week:

  • Read the lesson.
  • Review the synopsis.
  • Recite aloud the vocabulary words and their definitions.
  • Learn the concepts.
  • Complete the enrichment activities.
  • Study the review questions.

Synopsis

This lesson covers soil as a requirement of trees. Soil consists mainly of sand, rock, clay, and humus. Humus is made of decayed organic matter such as dead leaves and animals. Too much of any soil component renders it unsuitable for plant growth. Unfavorable soil can be rendered suitable for growth by tilling and cultivation. Worms, the smallest farmers of all, help plow the soil and keep it aerated.

Vocabulary

Soil: A mixture of sand and organic material, used to support plant growth.
Humus: A large group of natural organic compounds, found in the soil, formed from the chemical and biological decomposition of plant and animal residues.
Peat: Soil formed of dead but not fully decayed plants found in bog areas, often burned as fuel.
Decay: The process or result of being gradually decomposed or broken down.
Till: To plow soil in preparation for growing vegetables and crops.
Plow: To use a plow on to prepare for planting.

Concepts

THE WORLD'S TINIEST FARMERS - EARTHWORMS

  1. Earthworms are very beneficial to humans, known as Earth's original farmers, plowing the land, fertilizing the land, and adding tunnels in the soil for drainage.
  2. Earthworms dig anywhere from mere inches to eight feet under the soil's surface, breaking up the soil with the sand and gravel in their gizzards.
  3. Earthworms plow the land by bringing soil to the surface and dragging organic matter such as seeds, leaves, flowers, and animal bones under the surface.
  4. Earthworm stomachs add lime to fertilize the soil, just like human gardeners.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Narrate the Lesson

  • After reading or listening to the lesson, narrate the lesson aloud using your own words.

Activity 2: Study the Lesson Pictures

  • Study the lesson pictures and describe how they relate to the lesson.

Activity 3: Take a Nature Walk

  • Bring four small collection bags and embark on a nature walk to collect four different soil samples.
  • For example, sandy soil, soil rich with humus, soil with lots of clay, etc.
  • When you return, rub the soils between your fingers - is each type of soil coarse-grained, medium-grained, or fine-grained?
  • Spread out a small amount of each soil across a white piece of paper to enable examination and sketching of the particulates.
  • Use the gathered information to create the field book entry.

Activity 4: Complete a Field Book Entry   

After your nature walk, complete page 32 in 'Science Field Book for Fourth Grade.'

Review

Question 1

What are in general the major components of soil?
1 / 4

Answer 1

Soil generally consists of sand, rock, clay, and humus.
1 / 4

Question 2

In general, which is best for growing trees: a) a sandy soil, b) a clay rich soil, c) a soil of mostly humus, or d) a soil with a balance of sand, rock, clay and humus?
2 / 4

Answer 2

The best type of soil for growing trees in general is d) a soil with a balance of sand, rock, clay and humus.
2 / 4

Question 3

What is humus?
3 / 4

Answer 3

Humus consists of organic matter such as dead and decaying plants and animals.
3 / 4

Question 4

What is the world's smallest farmer?
4 / 4

Answer 4

The world's smallest farmer is the worm. Worms plow and aerate the soil and make it more favorable for growth.
4 / 4

  1. What are in general the major components of soil? Soil generally consists of sand, rock, clay, and humus.
  2. In general, which is best for growing trees: a) a sandy soil, b) a clay rich soil, c) a soil of mostly humus, or d) a soil with a balance of sand, rock, clay and humus? The best type of soil for growing trees in general is d) a soil with a balance of sand, rock, clay and humus.
  3. What is humus? Humus consists of organic matter such as dead and decaying plants and animals.
  4. What is the world's smallest farmer? The world's smallest farmer is the worm. Worms plow and aerate the soil and make it more favorable for growth.

References

  1. 'Studies of Trees' by Jacob Joshua Levison. gutenberg.org/ebooks/16116. n.p.
  2. Comstock, Anna Botsford. Handbook of nature-study (Twenty-fourth edition). Ithaca, New York Comstock Publishing Company, Inc, 1911.

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