PLANTS AND WATER 



FIG. 31. Soil very badly cracked 



CONSERVATION OF THE SOIL WATER 



Need of Conservation. In most parts of the Philippines 

 the year is made up of a rainy season and a dry season. 

 As much rain falls in a few months as plants need during 

 the year; and yet there are months during which they 

 suffer from drought. It is the 

 work of the good farmer to 

 make the water last as long 

 as possible. We have already 

 learned that the finer the soil 

 particles are, the more water 

 the soil will hold. Good cul- 

 tivation breaks up the soil in- 

 to finer bits, and so makes it 



hold more water. In uniformly fine soil, water moves 

 from one part to another much more readily than in 

 coarse or irregular soil. 



Effect of Careful Cultivation. There is everywhere, and 

 in the dryest seasons, water enough a short distance be- 

 low the surface of the ground ; but the hardness and 

 coarseness of the ground keep the roots from going very 

 deep, and keep the water from moving upward. If the 

 soil is cultivated and kept soft and fine down to where 

 it is always moist, the water will constantly move up- 

 ward to take the place of what is evaporated or taken up 

 by plants. Therefore, deep cultivation lets plants grow 

 in places where the ground would be too dry without it. 

 In Manila, lettuce will grow well in February in fine 



