Large areas of sandy soil,approximately occupied 30% of the total arable land,are distributed over Xuzhou District,Jiangsu Province.A compact soil surface layer is always developed due to the settling of the coarse particles brought by irrigation water.The compact and sandy surface soil contains low organic and plant The improvement of this soil by the application of green manures-turning over of single cropping of vetch or mined cropping of vetch and rye grass,or manuring mixed with clay-was investigated.The results obtained from pot and field eaperimenu are smmmarized as follows:1.The effect of manuring of the mig-cropped vetch-rye grass was superior to that of single vetch on the increase of crop yield,but manuring mined with clay was the most effective.2.The holding capacity of the sandy soil for organic matter was increased with application of clay,and at the same time,mineralization of organic matter was decreased.3.Application of clay and turning over of green manures effectively improved the physical and chemical properties of sandy soil,provided favorable conditions for the formation of organic-mineral complex of the soil.