CULTIVATION OF CITRUS GROVES. 265 



case, the loss will be great. But if the soil is well stirred 

 and loose, the water will enter. 



Once it is safely beneath the surface, it is necessary 

 to keep it there; it has gained entrance by a passage 

 through which it should not be allowed to escape. The 

 water will again make its way to the surface by capillary 

 attraction, passing upward through the minute spaces 

 between the particles of soil. If these minute tubes or 

 passages extend right to the surface, the water rises to 

 the top, comes out and is carried away by evaporation. 

 Frequent shallow cultivation will prevent this escape of 

 water, by breaking the capillary tubes. If the top inch 

 or two of the earth is stirred, it parts with its moisture 

 and becomes quite dry. Then it acts as a dust blanket 

 and the great amount of moisture below is not allowed 

 to reach the surface to be carried away by the moving air 

 above. Thus moisture is conserved and held for the use 

 of the trees. During the rainy season, it is not necessary 

 to conserve moisture, but often in April, May and June 

 in Florida, and sometimes even later, week after week 

 goes by without a shower. The California cultivator is 

 confronted by even worse conditions and must resort to 

 irrigation. During the period of drought is when water is 

 needed, the time for which preparation should be made be- 

 fore it comes. The horse and cultivator are often a most j 

 excellent substitute for an irrigation plant. 



We know that a hard, compact soil, into which 

 air does not enter, is no fit place for the roots of plants 

 to grow and live in. The roots absorb water and food in 

 solution only through their newer parts, and new roots 

 must be formed constantly to carry on this work. For 

 the formation of roots, oxygen is necessary, and if the air 

 cannot enter, oxygen cannot be supplied, and the roots 



