Well, let's give folks a little more information to go by, so that these very old hands-on tests of soil texture will be truly helpful. Understanding your soil texture is very important. It will help you make smart decisions about watering, fertilization, plant selection, and more. Simple experiments like this can be useful....I was taught them in my Soils classes at Va. Tech a zillion years ago! I taught them when I had my own Soils classes to teach!

One explains the procedure and meaning of the ribbon test and the other explains how to properly do the 'settling out' test. Be sure to use a powdered detergent....I've used a powdered laundry booster product and it worked well. You don't want anything that will add a lot of suds.

http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/pages/g00164.asp

Here is a link that might be useful: Soil texture test