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Richard, One way I have taught texture in introductory soils and to public groups is by simplifying the normal texture by feel method. I first have them handle the soil and decide if it is smooth (silty prefix) or can they feel sand (sandy or in the middle of the triangle so no prefix). If they feel sand I then have them hold the sample at elbows length and squeeze the sample. If they HEAR the sand it is a sand if they can't hear the sand (but feel it) it is in the middle (ie loam or clay loam). This reduces the textural choice to 2 or 3 with silty, sandy, or no prefix before the "clay" part. The clay is determined by them snapping their fingers to learn how to form ribbons. If the ribbon they form falls apart it is a XXX loam (xxx denotes prefix from previous discussion) If it holds together for a while and then breaks it is a XXX clay loam and if it doesn't break it is a XXXX clay. This is probably more than what homeowners may need but it may give you some good modification ideas. Dr. Gregory L. Willoughby Extension Agronomist and Director Crop Diagnostic Training Center Agronomy Department, Purdue Univ.,West Lafayette, IN 47907-1150 Office: (765) 494-8786; Fax: (765) 496-2926 email:gwilloughby@dept.agry.purdue.edu