TMK MOIsrrKK I\ TMR SOIL 51 



•Irainago, and in tlic snniiiier niontlis by evapo- 

 ration. Tlu' soil slionld ho put into sucli con- 

 dition in tlu» fall that it can i-cadily a))sorl) tho 

 wint'T rainfall, if tlic surface is li;nd, smooth 

 and conij>act«'d, us is often the case with ejay 

 soils, it sliould be loosonc^d witii the plow and 

 be h ft roui^h and uneven. If tliere is danixcr of 

 surface erosion or washinij^, some (piirk uenni- 

 natinu; seed (as rye or p(\'i) may be sown in 

 early fall. The plants prevent the rain from 

 llowin.i^ away i-ai»idly, and the roots bind tiie 

 partii'les of soil in place. 



71. The capa<'ity of the soil to hold water 

 • h'pt'nds upon its ori;'inal constitution (whether 

 clay, loam, sainl, etc.) and upon the treatment 

 which it has receivi'd. If tiie hunnis or decay- 

 ini? ori^anic matter has been depleted, its nioi<- 

 ture-iiohlinj? capacity is diminished. 



7J. '{'he cai>a<Mty of the different soils to hold 

 capillary an<l hycrroseopic M-ater (when dried at 

 a temperature of 144°) is siiown by the follow- 

 ing-table : 



