Complete the crossword, then click on "Check" to check your answer. If you are stuck, you can click on "Hint" to get a free letter. Click on a number in the grid to see the clue or clues for that number.

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Across: 4. A scientist who studies soil 5. The fertile upper part of soil 6. Dirt that covers the earth, madeup of minerals, air, water, and organic materials 7. rich soil that has equal parts of sand and silt, with a little bit of clay 8. fine sand carried by water and then deposited 10. natural substances that usually look like crystal shapes 15. vitamins and minerals in dirt that help plants grow 16. dirt that is usually red or orange and slippery when wet, and hardens when dry 17. creature that burrows in soil and feeds on nutrients there, then leaves waste that enriches the soil

Down: 1. element that is found in dirt and is a good fertilizer 2. putting harmful things in the environment 3. bits of soil that have been crushed or broken up 4. topsoil that has extra nutrients for potted plants 9. element that is found in soil and is a good fertilizer 11. when soil washes away 12. fine dirt that doesn't have many nutrients 13. the normal weather in an area 14. small mammals that live underground in soil