120 



SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENING 



13. Capillary Movement of Water. — Tie cloths over the large 

 ends of two lamp chimneys, and fill one chimney with a sandy loam 

 and the other with a, clay loam. The soils should be sifted and 

 dried before using. After filling the chimneys, the soils should be 

 packed alike. Place both in a dish of water with a splint, to allow 

 the free entrance of water (Fig. 70). For an hour or so, watch the 

 climb of the water by capillary movement in these two kinds of soil. 

 Moisture rises quickly, but not so- high, in coarse sandy soils. It will 

 rise much higher in the finer clay soils. 



Fig. 68. — The soil packer shown here leaves the surface slightly ridged but loose — 

 an ideal seed bed for the garden. (Dunham Co., Berea, Ohio.) 



The experiment explains why sandy soils suffer from 

 drouth more than others. In dry weather, moisture may not 

 rise enough in the sandy soils to supply the needs of plants. 





cJ&;;'.t£miM:-^/'!^j*s^f 



Fig. 69. — The best forms of roller should leave the surface loose, as shown at 

 the right, to check evaporation. Such a roller is a good clod-crusher and soil packer. 

 (Dunham Co., Berea, Ohio.) 



14. Packed and Loose Soils. — Use the same apparatus as in 

 the preceding exercises, but fill both chimneys with the same kind 

 of dry sifted soil. Pack one thoroughly, by shaking and jarring; 

 then refill. Leave the other as loose as possible. Place in water, as 

 shown. Note the rate of capillary rise of water. If the experiment 

 is carefully tried, the rise of water will be much faster in the packed 

 soil. 



