TEXTURE OF THE SOIL 203 



We are not so much concerned with the size of the particles 

 as we are with the effects which the various sizes produce. 

 By measurement it has been learned that the smaller a particle 

 becomes, the larger the surface is, compared with its volume. 

 For that reason, a given amount of soil, if fine, has a much 

 greater surface than if it were coarse. Now water clings to 

 the surface, and in a fine soil we will find a larger amount of 

 water than in a coarse soil. Yet, on the other hand, if the 

 soil becomes too fine, it is liable to pack and take on the effect 

 of a rock rather than a mass of soil. 



References : 



1. 1205 : 19-20. The Soil Layers. 



2. 1601 : 70-76. Soil-texture, and its Influence. 



3. 1605 : 76-78. The Size of Soil Particles. 



4. Farmers' Bulletin No. 187 : 6-8. Mechanical Make-up of 



Soil. 



5. Farmers' Bulletin No. 266 : 27-28. Organic Matter Affecting 



Texture. 



6. Farmers' Bulletin No. 408 : 39-40. Porosity the Water 



Capacity of Soils. 



a. 1202 : 367-370. Physical Condition of the Soils. 

 6. 1404 : 113-116. Texture of the Soil and its Effects. 



c. 1602:33-35. The Ideal Soil. 



d. 1604 : 125-127. Texture of the Soil. 



e. 1606:38-41. What is Meant b Texture, and its Im- 



portance. 



/. 1607 : 231-232. Tillage to Modify Soil Texture. 

 g. 1611 : 62-64. Soil Crumbs. 

 h. 1612 : 34-43. Concerning the Texture of Soil. 



Experiment 72. Water Capacity of Soils. 



Apparatus : Five or more argand lamp chimneys in a rack 

 to hold them vertical over the same number of table tumblers 

 or beakers, cheeseoloth in squares 3" X 3", string. 



