Hydrometer Method Improved for Making Particle Size Analyses of Soils¹

Synopsis The time required for dispersing soils for the hydrometer method of making particle size analyses was reduced from 25 minutes to only 2 minutes. The procedure consists of soaking the soils in a 5% Calgon solution for 15 to 20 hours and then dispersing them with a soil mixer running at a speed of about 16,000 r.p.m., for 2 minutes.