122 DRY-FARMING 
fact, Burr has clearly demonstrated for western 
Nebraska that over 50 per cent of the rainfall of the 
spring and summer may be stored in the soil to the 
depth of six feet. Without question, some is stored 
also at greater depths. 
All the evidence at hand shows that a large portion 
of the precipitation falling upon properly prepared 
soil, whether it be in summer or winter, is stored in 
the soil until evaporation is allowed to withdraw it. 
Whether or not water so. stored may be made to 
remain in the soil throughout the season or the year 
will be discussed in the next chapter. It must be 
said, however, that the possibility of storing water 
in the soil, that is, making the water descend to 
relatively great soil depths away from the immediate 
and direct action of the sunshine and winds, is the 
most fundamental principle in successful dry-farm- 
ing. 
The fallow 
It may be safely concluded that a large portion of 
the water that falls as rain or snow may be stored 
in the soil to considerable depths (eight feet or more). 
However, the question remains, Is it possible to 
store the rainfall of successive years in the soil for 
the use of one crop? In short, Does the practice 
of clean fallowing or resting the ground with proper 
cultivation for one season enable the farmer to store 
in the soil the larger portion of the rainfall of two 
