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THE HOME GARDEN 



sandy or clayey, and thus we sometimes speak of them as 

 light or heavy ; a heavy soil holds water. 



Experiment. To test a sample of garden soil for acidity. 



Materials: Blue litmus paper. Some acid, as hydrochloric acid, vinegar, 

 or lemon juice. Quicklime. 



Method: Observe the effects of acids upon blue litmus paper by wetting 

 litmus paper with some dilute acid. Vinegar or lemon juice may be 

 used. What color change is observed ? This is caused by acids. Wet 

 a sample of garden soil with water. Lay the blue litmus paper into 

 this, and let it remain for a short time. Examine to see if there is a 

 color change which indicates the presence of an acid. If the soil is 

 found to be acid, add a small quantity of powdered lime and mix 

 thoroughly. After twenty-four hours test for acidity. What is the 

 result? What is one way of correcting acidity in the soil? 



Water in the soil. You are all familiar with the fact 

 that coffee creeps up on the lump of sugar placed partly 

 in it, and that oil rises in the lamp wick. This rise of 

 fluids against the force of gravity is called capillarity. 

 Soil, as the diagram shows, if examined under a magnify- 

 ing glass would be found to be made up of millions of par- 

 ticles of different sizes, each particle holding around it a 

 little film of water. Water rises through the spaces be- 

 tween soil particles by 

 capillary action, and 

 thus is held in the soil 

 not far from the surface. 



Experiment. To show capil- 

 larity in gravel, sand, clay, 

 . and loam. 



Materials: Four large glass 

 tubes, or cylindrical lamp 

 chimneys. Dry sand, 

 coarse and fine. Dry powdered clay. Dry loam. A rack to sup- 



The soil particles are each surrounded by a film 

 of water. 



port the tubes. Basin. Cheesecloth. 



