SOILS AND FERTILIZERS 



and the non-capillary spaces are made capillary. Free 

 circulation of the air, which increases evaporation, 

 is prevented when a sandy soil is manured. When 



Fig. 16. Sandy soil with manure. 



silt and sandy soils are manured they are capable of 

 retaining more water, as shown by the following ex- 

 ample : I4 



Fine sandy 



soil. 

 Per cent. 



Capacity for holding water 25 



95 per cent, fine 



sandy soil 



and 5 per 



cent, manure. 



Per cent. 



42 



The manure enables the soil to retain more water 

 near the surface and prevents losses by percolation. 

 The difference in moisture content between manured 

 and unmanured land is particularly noticeable in a 

 dry season. 14 



Sandy soil 



well manured. 



Water. 



Per cent. 



Sandy soil 

 unmanured. 



Water. 



Per cent. 



Soil one to six inches 10.50 



Coarse leached manure may have just the opposite 

 effect by producing an open and porous condition of 

 the soil. 



