CHAPTER XXII 

 CONTROL OF SOIL MOISTURE 



Value of Water in the Soil. The amount of 

 water in the soil each day of the growing season 

 determines in large measure the possibility of 

 securing a profitable crop from land. Observant 

 farmers have noticed oftentimes that the differ- 

 ences in yields on the farms of a region are less in a 

 wholly favorable season than in one of deficient 

 rainfall. The skill of the farmer in conserving the 

 moisture supply in a wet season is less well repaid 

 because it is less needed. The poverty of a worn 

 soil is less marked in a favorable season. The land 

 is accounted poor because the supply of plant-food 

 is inadequate for a drouthy year in which a con- 

 siderable percentage of the time produces little 

 growth, but most agricultural land has enough 

 plant-food for a fairly good crop when water is 

 present all the time to carry daily supplies into the 

 roots. It is the amount of moisture in the soil that 

 is the limiting factor in the case of most land that 

 is not in a high state of productiveness. 



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