The Soil 



63 



able. The loss is greatest from uncropped soil for several 

 reasons : 



(1) Because of the greater amount of drainage. 



(2) Because no absorption of nitrates by the roots of plants 

 takes place. 



Showing the dangerous practice of allowing soils to remain bare and 

 exposed to the washing of rains (after Vivian). 



(3) Because the land, when free from crops, dries more slowly 

 allowing nitrification to proceed for a longer time. 



The average loss of nitrogen as nitrates from uncropped soil 

 at Rothamsted, England, for 20 years, was 33.8 pounds per acre 

 which is equal to 216 pounds of commercial nitrate of soda. The 



