It is equal to an employee's rate of basic pay for his or her position (see definition of rate of basic pay) (exclusive of any premiums or differentials paid at less than the basic rate) except for an employee who is authorized annual premium pay for scheduled standby duty or AUO.
All soil is full of life, and good soils are teeming with it. Plants and animals help keep the soil fertile. Plant roots tunnel through the soil and break it up, and decaying plants form humus. Burrowing animals mix the soil; the excrete of animals contribute nutrients and improve soil structure.
Sandy soils are the result of the weathering and disintegration of a variety of rocks such as granite, limestone and quartz. This type of soil is easy to cultivate but, since it allows for more drainage than needed, it is important to water it regularly, especially during summer days. As sandy soils don't allow the water to pool around the roots, they are a good choice for plants that have a tendency to suffer from root decay.