A better way would be to freeze an intact ped of the soil sample intact, or encase it in wax, and place the ped in water in a graduated cylinder.
(A better way; would be; to freeze an intact ped of the soil sample intact, or encase it in wax, and place the ped in water in a graduated cylinder)
A better way
would be
to freeze an intact ped of the soil sample intact, or encase it in wax, and place the ped in water in a graduated cylinder