17 



this condition can absorb but little water. But on being loosened up 

 whether by the plow or hoe, the particles assume a more open position, 

 the pore space is therefore enlarged, as well as the capacity of the 

 soil to absorb water. 



One method then of promoting the absorption of water by the 

 soil, is to break up the soil thus increasing its volume and pore space. 

 You are familiar with the fact that when .\ou plow four inches deep, 

 measured along the cut surface of the unplowed land, the loose soil 

 is at least 6 or 8 inches in depth. Deep and thorough plowing in the 

 l)reparation for planting cane is then of the greatest importance. It 

 not only gives a loose soil for the growing of the roots but it enables 

 the soil to take up water for the future uses of the growing plant. 



After a crop of cane has beeen taken off, the soil is hard packed 

 and in this condition it cannot absorb much water nor can the roots of 

 the .young plants penetrate it sufficiently to give the greatest vigor 

 to the cane. This soil should be broken up as well as possible with 

 the plow. Subsequent rains will penetrate and be absorbed by the soil, 

 and by subsequent shallow cultivation the soil will be in a much better 

 condition to withstand a drouth. 



It is easily seen that where one ^as left ratoons to grow without 

 plowing, but has made clean smooth ditches every 11 feet, as is the 

 present custom, much of the rain that falls will run off. This might 

 happen at a time like the present when it would be very desirable 

 that all the water falling on the land should be caught and preserved 

 by It. 



Another factor that is of the very greatest importance in absorp- 

 ti(m of water is organic maMer or humus. 



Every one knows that a rich virgin soil absorbs more water and 

 stays wet a longer time than one that is old and exhausted of its organ- 

 ic matter. You are also familiar with the fact that the soil in a cane 

 field is always more moist under the trash than that exposed to the sun. 



The following table showing the total absorptive and retentive power 

 of soils very well illustrates these facts. 



Soil No 12 3 4 5 6 



Water absorbed 86.9% 73.7'/f> 86.4% 44.39'c 4.63% 45.2% 



'/ retained aft- 



erone month 51.9% 45.9% 52.4% 14.8% 16.8% 18.2% 



The first three soils contain much organic matter, while the last 

 three contain but little. 



Following are the amounts of water which were found in three 

 types of soil when they were saturated under field condition: 



Sandy loam 17% 



Clay loam 22% 



Humus soil 44% 



These facts and figures suggest that the saving of the cane trash 

 and plowing it into the soil where it will assist in taking up and re- 

 taining water is of the greatest consequence in warding off the disas- 

 trous effects of a drouth. But it is just as important that the water 

 be retained in' the soil as that it be absorbed, and we shall now take 

 up the means of preventing the loss by evaporation from the soils. 



Conservation of Soil Moisture. — If a clean glass tube be stuck in 

 water, the water will rise in the tube to a height depending on the 



