30 SOILS 



with average success. When we get out of the range of 

 our so-called common soils those of the normal aver- 

 age we meet with failure, usually, unless the crop, be- 

 cause of its nature, fancies the peculiarities of that indi- 

 vidual soil. 



Air circulation. A soil is often unproductive because 

 there is no opportunity for the circulation of the air. Air, 

 you know, is just as necessary for plants in the soil as it 

 is needed for them above it. When you have a soil that 

 is puddled readily, air is excluded and plants growing 

 there lose their strong growing powers, turn yellow, and 

 become either stunted or die. 



Water circulation. Water is an important component 

 of the productive soil. Is it present in too great a quan- 

 tity? If so, the plant develops slowly, maybe it dies. Is 

 it lacking in the soil? If so, the plant behaves in the same 



TAKING SOIL SAMPLES 

 A common way of getting samples for moisture determination 



