THE STORAGE AND USE OF SOIL MOISTURE. 
BY W. W. BURR.* 
INTRODUCTION. 
The profitable cultivation of the non-irrigable lands in west 
central and western Nebraska is limited by the amount and 
efficient use of the precipitation. There are tracts of land in the 
sand hills and minor tracts of badly worn heavier soils where 
the need of soil fertility is becoming evident. But, in the main, 
the great problem at present is not one of soil fertility, but of 
how to get enough water to make use of the fertility now present. 
The rainfall of this section, which varies from an actual short- 
age to seldom more than a meager sufficiency, makes it impera- 
tive that the best use be made of the water that falls. He who 
most economically gets the greatest use of the rainfall is truly 
the best farmer from the standpoint of production. 
This bulletin is largely concerned with problems relative to 
the accumulation and use of the soil water. In presenting the 
results shown in the bulletin, we have endeavored to select that 
portion of our soil moisture studies which may have the most 
practical application. And we ask that it be read carefully and 
that the tables showing weather conditions be consulted in order 
that one may not draw the wrong conclusions from any data 
offered. Tt is imperative also that the type of soil on which this 
work has been carried on be kept in mind. Any variation in the 
soil type will probably vary — in that same degree — the results 
obtained. The work which we are offering has been done in the 
* Detailed from the Office of Dry Land Agriculture, U. S. Department 
of Agriculture. Formerly Associate Professor of Soils and Crops at the 
North Platte Substation. 
The data presented in this bulletin have been obtained by the North 
Platte Substation in cooperation with the Office of Dry Land Agriculture 
and the Biophysical Laboratory of the Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. 
Department of Agriculture. Charts III, IV, VII. and X to XV, inclusive, are 
reproductions of regular soil moisture charts from the Office of Dry Land 
Agriculture. 
The author is indebted to Messrs Fritz Ullrich. S. B. Noland, and V. 
V. Burr for assistance rendered in taking soil samples. 
RESEARCH BUL. 5, AGR. EXP. STATION OF NEBR. 
A popular edition of this bulletin is issued as Bulletin 140. 
