BrianH,
I would call and talk with Otto on his cell phone. 940.736.5333. I think he will tell you to water the dry soils. Dry clay is powdery, and won't compact well without moisture. He says it's like trying to pack baby powder. The hard, shiny clay you are finding sounds like it has moisture in it. Mixed with other soils, I bet that's good stuff. Otto can help a lot.


Teach a man to grow fish...
He can teach to catch fish...