317 



calculation of the relative moveinciit of soil moisture in different soils 

 from the nieclianical analysis ; (6) calculation of the relative rate of evapo- 

 ration and underdraiiiajie from different vsoils from the meclianical 

 analysis; (7) on the capillary value of ditierent soils from the mechan- 

 ical analysis; (8) effect of fineness and compactness on the water-holding 

 power; (0) on the action of underdrains in the soil and on how they 

 act; (10) on the tiocculation and subsidence of clay particles; (11) on 

 the swelling- of clay when Avet; (12) on the compacting of soils by rain j 

 (13) on the physical action of manures and fertilizers; (14) a new form 

 of soil thermonu'ter, which registers the maximum and minimum tem- 

 perature of a definite layer of soil ; (15) the relation of the soil to heat 

 as observed in the field in typical soils or under different conditions of 

 cultivation and fertilization ; (16) calculations of the relation of different 

 soils to heat from the mechanical analyses, with tlie effect of the water 

 content, cultivation, and cropping; (17) the actual temi)erature of dif- 

 ferent soils, with range, etc. ; (18) study of the loss of heat from different 

 soils, as ealculated from the mechanical analysis and as determined 

 Mith the radiation thermometer; (ID) specific heat of typical soils; (20) 

 temperature of the air and soils, and amount of moisture in these most 

 favorable fin- plant growth; (21) the estimation of the actual amount of 

 moisture in the soils from time to time; (22) influence of meteorological 

 conditions on grain i)roduction, as exi)laining low average yield of grain 

 at the South, on the distribution of crops throughout the State, and on 

 the growth and ri^K'ning of crops; (23) amount and intensity of sun- 

 shine available for the crop; (24) effect of Avind movement on jdant 

 growth, especially as to the amount of ammonia supplied to crops. 



The following topics are discussed in some detail : The interpretation 

 of the results of mechanical analysis of soils, movement of soil moisture, 

 physical action of manures in improving the drainage of soils, calcula- 

 tion of the rate of movement of soil moistui-e, and the relation of meteor- 

 ological conditions to the growth of the cotton croj). 



Meteorological data as recorded for each mouth from Novend)er, 1888, 

 to June, 1889, are reprinted from Bulletin No. 7 (new series) of the 

 station (see Experiment Station liecord, vol. i, p. 312). These data 

 include the nuiximum, minimum, and mean temperatures of the air ; daily 

 range in temperature of the air: mean height of the barometer; press- 

 ure of water vapor in the atmos])here; mean dew-i»oint; mean rela- 

 tive humidity; rainfall; the readings of the solar radiation (maximum) 

 and terrestrial radiation (minunum) thermometers; the difference in 

 temi)erature between the terrestrial radiation thermometer and the 

 dew-point; daily wind movement; the maximum, minimum, and mean 

 temi^eratures of the soil (3-9 inches) ; and the mean weekly temperatures 

 of the soil at different depths. A comparison by seasons is made of the 

 mean meteorological data for Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, 

 South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, 

 Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. 



