A LIVING FROM THE LAND 



the water resources of most soils can be greatly 

 increased by adding to their humus content. 

 Humus, which, it has been pointed out, is 

 decaying vegetable matter, serves as a sponge 

 for the absorption of soil water and for under- 

 ground water supplies. Therefore, the more 

 humus that can be plowed into the soil, other 

 conditions being equal, the greater is the ability 

 of the plants growing in that soil to withstand 

 drouth. As soils are cultivated, the tendency 

 is for the humus to become " burned out" and 

 to have a reduced moisture-holding capacity. 

 To overcome this tendency, it is necessary to 

 add vegetable matter to the soil whenever it is 

 possible. Incidentally, the incorporation of large 

 quantities of humus in the soil creates a condi- 

 tion of acidity which may call for the application 

 of lime as a corrective. 



There are many acres of land which contain 

 too much water in the area that roots should 

 penetrate to permit of optimum plant growth. 

 Roots of most plants will not penetrate where 

 there is an excess of water, and air cannot cir- 

 culate where moisture is superabundant. Usually 

 these conditions exist where the soil is of a 

 clayey nature. The abundance of water may 

 be caused by the inability of surface water to 

 percolate through the soil. It may take so long, 

 due to the nature of the soil, for this water to 



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