1 62 THE FIRST BOOK OF FARMING 



ing about fifteen per cent, of water during the grow- 

 ing season. 



The grasses and small grains do best on cool, 

 firm soils holding eighteen to twenty-two per cent, 

 of water. 



Sorghum or " Molasses Cane " grows best on 

 good corn soil, while the sugar cane of the Gulf 

 States requires a soil with twenty-five per cent, of 

 water for best growth. 



While the amount of water which a soil will hold 

 is determined largely by texture, it is also consid- 

 erably influenced by the amount and frequency of 

 rai fall and the location of the soil as to whether 

 it be upland or bottom land. 



The average percentage of water held by a soil 

 during the growing season may be approximately 

 determined in the following manner: 



Sample the soil in one of the following methods : 



Take to the field a spade, a box that will hold 

 about half a bushel, and a pint or quart glass jar 

 with a tight cover. If a cultivated field, select a 

 place free from grass and weeds. Dig a hole one 

 foot deep and about eighteen inches square. Trim 

 one side of the hole square. Now from this side 

 cut a slice about three inches thick and one foot 

 deep, quickly place this in the box and thoroughly 

 break lumps and mix together, then fill jar and cork 

 tightly. 



Another method is to take a common half-inch 

 or two-inch carpenter's auger and bore into the soil 

 with it. Pull it out frequently and put the soil which 



