THE RISE OF CAPILLARY WATER IN SOILS 31 



Directions. Tie pieces of cheesecloth over one end of 

 each of the four glass tubes. 



Fill each tube with a different type of air-dry soil. In 

 filling, the tubes should be placed upon the floor with the 

 end tied with cheesecloth down. The soil may be poured 

 into the tube, using a tin funnel or a paper funnel made 

 from a sheet of paper. 



Place the tubes in the tube rack in such a manner that 

 the ends are in the pan. 



When all the tubes are in position, fill the pan with water 

 to a depth of two inches. Take the exact time when the 

 water is added. 



Make readings of the height to which the water has 

 risen in the soil at the end of 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 

 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 

 4 days, 5 days, and 6 days. 



Record your measurements in the accompanying outline 

 form. 



QUESTIONS 



1. In which soil was the rise of water the most rapid ? 



2. In which soil was the rise of water the highest ? 



3. Is the fact that water can rise from a wetter to a drier soil 

 of any value to growing crops ? When ? 



4. Which of the soils used would make the best subsoil ? Why ? 



5. What effect would a layer of gravel two feet in thickness in 

 the upper subsoil have upon growing crops in a period of dry 

 weather ? Why ? 



