RELATION OF SOILS TO WATER 47 



water may run off the surface. If the surface has 

 been recently broken and softened with the plow 

 or cultivator the rain enters more readily. What 

 does enter is held and is not allowed to run through 

 as in the case of the sand. 



Humus soil absorbs the rain as readily as the 

 sand and holds it with a firmer grip than clay. 



This fact gives us a hint as to how we may im- 

 prove the sand and clay. 



Organic matter mixed with these soils by applying 

 manures or plowing under green crops will cause 

 the sand to hold the rain better and the clay to ab- 

 sorb it more readily. 



