26 FIELD AND LABORATORY STUDIES OF SOILS 



soils can hold more water because the individual spaces 

 between the particles are smaller and the total amount of 

 space is larger, than in other soils. Muck and clay soils 

 will hold the largest amount of water and sandy soils the 



-Cheesecloth 



-Perforated 

 bottom 



Fig. 12. — Funnels and Gradu- Fig. 13. — Brass Cylinder Used to 



ated Bottles Used to Show Measure the A\'ater-holding Ca- 



that Some Soils can Retain pacity of Soils. 

 more Water than Others. 



least. The supply of water is the most important single 

 factor in the growth of plants. Consequently, the extent 

 to which different soils retain moisture deserves careful 

 study. 



