166 NATURE-STUDY LESSONS. 



4 (a) Again, take four ordinary lamp chimneys and 

 tie a piece of cotton cloth over the bottom of 

 each. Place equal weights of well-dried soil 

 in each, as in the last experiment. Set the 

 four chimneys at the same time in a vessel 

 having about an inch of water in it. 

 (^) Describe what happens. 



(c) In which vessel does the water rise most rapidly.? 



(d) After a few minutes weigh each chimney. 

 («) Which has increased most in weight ? 

 {/) Which has increased the least ? 



(£■) Compare these increases in weight with those 



in the last experiment. 

 (h) What kind of soil would be best for plants in 



dry weather ? 

 (i) In wet weather ? 



5. Why is it easier to walk or drive on a sandy road 

 immediately after rain than before it ? 



6. Why does moist clay adhere to one's boots ? 



7. Why is a clay soil called " heavy " and a sandy one 

 "light"? 



8. (a) Put an equal quantity of sand and of clay into 



similar dishes and place on a stove, 

 (5) Observe which heats more rapidly. 



(c) Remove from the stove and observe which 



retains its heat longer. 



(d) Infer with reasons the soils that can be tilled 



earliest in the spring, and the soils in which 

 seeds will germinate most quickly. 

 («) State the reasons in each case. 



