Nov. 



Variation in Moisture Content of Soils 



141 



No. 2, 20 per cent moisture. It might be stated here that this m.oisture 

 content produced a water-logged condition, which will be discussed later. 

 The percentage of decrease is noticeably greater at the later sampling 

 dates than at the earlier, 20 per cent on May 13 and 60 per cent on 

 October 28; and there is reason to believe they would continue to increase 

 in divergence. Although that is the most striking feature, it is also noted 

 that there is a general trend upward from the lowest moisture content 

 to the optimum in both soils. 



Table I. — Concentration 0/ soil solution 



son, NO. I, SILTY CLAY LOAM 



SOIL NO. 2, SANDY LOAM 



Nitrates. — The most notable thing is the depression in soil No. 2, 

 20 per cent moisture. This solute is the most affected by the excess 

 water, as might be expected, anaerobic conditions having been produced. 

 Another feature is the fact that at the optimum moisture content there 

 is found the greatest quantity of nitrates, especially emphasized in soil 

 No. 2 at the two later sampling dates. 



Sulphates and phosphates. — The excess water does not have a 

 depressing effect on these two solutes. The only evidence of any difference 

 in quantity is the general trend upward in the water-soluble sulphate, 

 coincident with the increased moisture in soil No. i , which is relatively 

 high in sulphate. 



