4 o 



SOILS AND FERTILIZERS 



and the non-capillary spaces are made capillary. The 

 free circulation of the air which increases evaporation, 

 is prevented when a sandy soil is manured. When 



Fig. 1 6. Sandy soil with manure. 



silt and sandy soils are manured they are capable of 

 retaining more water, as shown by the following ex- 

 ample : 13 



Fine sandy 



soil. 



Per cent. 



95 per cent, fine 



sandy soil. 



5 per cent. 



dry manure. 



Per cent. 



42 



Capacity for holding water 25 



The manure enables the soil to retain more water 

 near the surface and prevents losses by percolation. 

 The difference in moisture content of manured and un- 

 mannred land is particularly noticeable in a dry season. 13 



Sandy soil 



well manured. 



Water. 



Per cent. 



Soil one to six inches 10.50 



Sandy soil 



unmauured. 



Water. 



Per cent. 



8.IO 



Coarse leached manure may have just the opposite 

 effect by producing an open and porous condition of 

 the soil. 



