DIED takes this one right where my first reaction originated when I read TMK's post; maintaining undisturbed soil samples. I was unaware of the hollow stem augur, but doesn't it still seem to be a bit too "hi tech" for pond field samples? The backhoe sampling procedure seems to be so simple and provides not only large lifts of undisturbed samples for research, but also allows one to control the hole width and breadth should it be necessary to get a "good look" at the big picture. Also, backfilling and compacting with a bucket to "pound it back down" in layers might provide a better final grade after sampling...? I will say, tho, that the augur is definitely arthroscopic when it comes to non-invasive sampling.
