This book is primarily written for students of borderline sciences for whom knowledge of the fundamentals of soil science is absolutely essential. These students are, very frequently, confronted with books which are far too foreign in outlook and background, and cannot afford the beginner a picture of the soil that he can view in the light of his own familiarity with objects of everyday life. The intelligent layman who has an interest or stake in the soil will find this book free from technicalities, even an elementary knowledge of chemistry is not assumed. Improvement of soil is the basis of all agriculture and it is hoped that this book besides its text book appeal will help in the awakening of that mass interest in the soil which ultimately must lead to a more intelligent use of nature's most abundant gift to mankind.