CONSERVATION OF SOIL MOISTURE 



holds its water, and the part it plays in 

 the mystery of plant growth. Nor 

 should we forget that the water-holding 

 capacity of any soil is a most important 

 factor in determining the value of farm 

 lands — a matter which, so far as the 

 writer is aware, has not yet been fully 

 recognized in this country. It is also im- 

 portant to consider the way in which 

 moisture may be dissipated or lost. In 

 the first place, water, falling as rain upon 

 a field, may be lost by a surface run-off, 

 or by percolation in the case of loose, 

 gravelly soil; or, lastly, by evaporation 

 from the surface of the ground. It is 

 plain, therefore, that if by any means we 

 can lessen this loss of water from the soil 

 a larger and surer crop-yield will follow. 

 All farmers are aware of the vast im- 

 portance of moisture to the growing 

 crop; but perhaps few realize the enor- 

 mous amount of water that is needed for 



