Mark the thickness of that layer. On top of the clay will be a thin layer of organic matter. Some of this organic matter may still be floating in the water. In fact, the jar should be murky and full of floating organic sediments. If not, you probably need to add organic matter to improve the soil's fertility and structure.
Every soil has unique physical characteristics, which are determined by how it was formed.
Soil texture can range from very fine particles to coarse and gravelly. To get a rough idea, simply place some soil in the palm of your hand and wet it slightly, then run the mixture between your fingers. Identifying Your Soil Type Soils are generally described according to the predominant type of soil particle present sand, silt, or clay. By conducting a simple soil test, you can easily see what kind of soil you're dealing with. You may want to repeat this test with several different soil samples from your lawn and garden.