Section III., 1913. [119] Trans. R.S.C. 



On a New Method of Measuring the Capillary Lift of Soils. 



By C. J. Lynde, Professor of Physics, and H. A. Dupré, Research 

 Assistant under the Dominion Grant for Agriculture, 

 Macdonald College, P.Q., Canada. 



Presented by Prof. H. T. Barnes, F.R.S.C. 



(Read May 28, 1913) 



By the term capillary lift we mean the maximum vertical height 

 in centimeters to which the soil can raise water under a pressure of 

 one atmosphere. 



For the sake of clearness we have divided this paper into four 

 parts. 



In Part I. we give a description of a new method of measuring 

 the capillary lift of soils and a comparison of this method with the old 

 method. 



In Part II. we give the results obtained in measuring the capil- 

 lary lift of the soil constituents. 



In Part III. we give results which indicate that the pressure of 

 the atmosphere limits the lift which can be measured by this method. 



In part IV. we discuss the question — "Can soils lift water to 

 heights greater than ten meters, or 34 feet, the height to which water 

 can be raised by atmospheric pressure?" 



Part I. 

 A New Method of Measuring the Capillary Lift of Soils. 



In the usual method of measuring the capillary lift in soils a 

 glass tube is covered at one end with cloth; the tube is filled with 

 soil and the covered end is placed in water. 



The disadvantages of this method are as follows: — 



(1) The soil must be used in a fairly dry condition. 



(2) It takes months to make an experiment with a fine soil. 



(3) The results obtained with fine soils are of little value, 

 because friction stops the rise of moisture before the maximum lift 

 is reached. 



