CHAPTER VI 



SOIL WATER 



49. Water Requirements of Plants. No one factor has 

 a more important bearing on crop production than the 

 proper amount of the right kind of soil moisture. Table 

 IV has been compiled by Warrington from data obtained 

 by the investigators named to show the number of pounds 

 of water transpired by growing plants for each pound of 

 dry matter produced : 



TABLE IV. NUMBER OF POUNDS OF WATER EVAPORATED 

 TO GROW CROPS ENUMERATED 



In general, it may be stated that from 200 to 500 pounds 

 of water are required to produce 1 pound of dry matter 

 of the ordinary field crops. The amount required is in- 

 fluenced by the climate, the soil type, and the preparation 

 and cultural methods employed. 



50. Soil Components. The soil is made up of three 

 components, solid, liquid, and gaseous. The solid part 



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