CHAPTER V 



DRY-FARM SOILS 



Important as is the rainfall in making drj^-farming 

 successful, it is not more so than the soils of the dry- 

 farms. On a shallow soil, or on one penetrated with 

 gravel streaks, crop failures are probable even under 

 a large rainfall ; but a deep soil of uniform texture, 

 unbroken by gravel or hardpan, in which much water 

 may be stored, and which furnishes also an abun- 

 dance of feeding space for the roots, will yield large 

 crops even under a very small rainfall. Likewise, an 

 infertile soil, though it be deep, and under a large 

 precipitation, cannot be depended on for good crops; 

 but a fertile soil, though not quite so deep, nor under 

 so large a rainfall, will almost invariably bring large 

 crops to maturity. 



A correct understanding of the soil, from the sur- 

 face to a depth of ten feet, is almost indispensable 

 before a safe judgment can be pronounced upon the 

 full dr}'-farm possibilities of a district . Especially is it 

 necessary to know (a) the depth, (6) the uniformity 

 of structure, and (c) the relative fertility of the 

 soil, in order to plan an intelligent system of farming 



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