The Classification of Soils

Summary There are two possible ways of ordering natural formations: (1) by simplification in order to save time and to make possible an easy grouping by forgoing detailed specification (ordering by one or by a limited number of definite properties); (2) by forgoing simplification and by giving full weight to detailed specification in the establishment of the systematic units, in order to make possible the application of the system in every branch of general and applied science that deals in some way or other with the natural formation to be defined and ordered (ordering by differential diagnosis with no restriction to number or kind of properties). Both the above systems of ordering are possible with soils. Both are justified, their respective application depending on aims, purposes, and necessities. They could neither fight nor help each other; they are divided from the very beginning by their different principles and goals which lead necessarily to two independent branches of soil systematics.