922 



EXPEEIMENT STATIOIT RECORD. 



different localities in California during the dry season of 1898 are 

 reported. The averages of these determinations for the different 

 agricultural regions of the State are given in the following table: 



Average jjercetilages uf moist arc In California soils during tlie dry season of 1898. 



Total. 



Free, a 



Foothills, 10 soils 



Sacramento Valley, 23 soils . . 

 San Joaquin Valley, 19 soils. . 



Coast Range, 44 soils 



Southern California, 26 soils . 



State at large, 121 soils . 



Per cent. 

 9.7 

 9.7 

 8.2 

 9.3 

 6.8 



Per cetit. 

 2.6 

 2.8 

 4.4 

 3.2 

 2.6 



3.1 



a "Over and above what is held in the hygroscopic condition." 



The following table shows the relative demands for total moisture 

 by various crops on different kinds of soil: 



Relative demands for moisture by crops on different soils. 



Sandy soils . 



Sandy loam soils . 



Loam soils 



Clav loams . 



Hygro- 

 scopic 

 moisture. 



Per cent. 



5-7 



Total moisture. 



Per cent. 



2.0 



2.5 

 3.5 

 4-5 

 5-6 

 6-7 

 7-^ 

 8-9 



4-5 

 5-6 



6-7 

 7-8 

 8-9 

 9-10 

 6-7 

 7-8 

 8-9 

 8-9 

 9-10 

 10-11 

 11-12 

 12-14 



Tons per 

 acre. 

 160 



200 

 280 

 400 

 480 

 560 

 640 

 720 



400 



480 



560 

 640 



720 

 800 

 560 

 640 

 720 

 720 



960 

 112 



Crops which did well. Crops which suffered 



Apricots, .saltbush 



Olives, peaches, wheat . 



Saltbush. 

 Apricots . 



Almonds, plums 



Apples, olives, peaches, 



walnuts. 



Saltbush 



Apricots, citrus, figs, 



walnuts. 



Prunes, grapes 



Plums 



Apples 



Almonds 



Peaches, grapes 



Apricots 



Grapes 



Corn, sugar beets. 



Olives, peaches, plums, 



grapes. 

 Cherries, pears. 

 Citrus, pruues. 

 Apricots. 



Prunes. 



.\pricots, almond.s. 



Prunes. 



Almonds. 



Peaches, plums. 

 Wheat. 

 Sugar beets. 

 Figs. 



Wheat. 



Citrus. 



Note.— The absence of a crop from a group simply indicates that it had not been found growing 

 upon that particular soil. 



"While the above table is interesting and useful in indicating the total amount of 

 water required continually by crops on the various soils, and that as the soil increases 

 in clayeyness the amount increases, because of the attraction for water on the part of 

 the clay (hygroscopic), it is not a guide in determining the actual amounts required 

 for particular cultures. This is found by eliminating the hygroscopic moisture and 

 ascertaining the amount of free water present in soils where cultures grew and where 

 they suffered, and comparing the results. This is shown in the following ta,ble, from 

 which are omitted all determinations where no free water existed, as cultures very 

 naturally suffered under such conditions, though maintaining life. 



