CULTIVATION OF CITRUS GROVES. 269 



In June, 1902, two samples of soil were taken as rep- 

 resentative of cultivated and uncultivated soil. Both 

 were from the horticultural grounds of the Florida Ex- 

 periment Station, one from soil planted in citrus trees, 

 cultivated frequently from March until that time, the 

 other from a piece of ground which had received no cul- 

 tivation at all during the season, but which had lain bare 

 and exposed to the sun. The samples were weighed, then 

 dried and weighed again. The weights and differences 

 were as follows: 



Cultivated soil- 

 Weight when collected 247.8 grains. 



Weight after drying 230.5 grams. 



Loss of moisture in drying .... 17.3 grams. 



Uncultivated soil- 

 Weight when collected 251.4 grams. 



Weight after drying 240.9 grams. 



Loss of moisture in drying 10.5 grams. 



Per cent, of moisture in sample No. 1 

 17.3-5-247.8 x 100=6.97% 



Per cent, of moisture in sample No. 2 

 10.5-J-251.4 x 100=4. Yl% 



The cultivated soil contained 6.97 per cent, moisture, 

 while the uncultivated soil contained 4.17 per cent, mois- 

 ture a difference in favor of the former of 2,8 per cent, 

 or, expressed otherwise, cultivation had increased the 

 moisture content of the soil by 66.5 per cent. It is true 

 that the water-holding capacity of most citrus soils, and 

 particularly of those rich in humus, is well up to the 

 average, but this does not mean that every effort should 

 not be made to hold and conserve the moisture for use 

 during periods of drouth. Lands deficient in moisture 



