Contents include: Vertisol properties relevant to the management, properties, and distribution of acid soils; land clearing - principles and concerns; site selection and soil variability; agroclimatic monitoring and analysis; interpretation of soil maps; experimental sites and soil variability; socioeconomic evaluations; keys to Soil Taxonomy the FAO/UNESCO soil map legend; principles of the French soil reference system; the fertility capability classification system; measuring and monitoring soil chemical properties; soil physical characterization; and surface crusts and plough pans.