12 BULLETIN 447, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
(3) After a field has once been covered with water, little further absorption 
takes place, and no benefit can result from having water stand on or flow over 
the soil for more than a few minutes. 
(4) The depth to which the water will penetrate depends upon the depth 
to which the soil has been dried and cracked. 
‘The following points brought out in this bulletin apply to the cul- 
tural practices for these gumbo soils under either irrigation or dry- 
land conditions: 
(1) No particular method of cultivation will be superior to others in infiu- 
encing the quantity of water absorbed, since this depends upon the degree to 
which the surface soil is dried and cracked. The soil after harvest is usually 
so dry that penetration takes place very readily, and any ordinary quantity of 
rain that falls is absorbed, regardless of the cultural treatment. 
(2) Since the dry soil is naturally broken up to depths as great as would be 
reached by either deep plowing or subsoiling, these operations can be of no great 
benefit in water absorption. 
(3) Some method, such as dynamiting, by which the soil below the cracked 
area could be broken up, might result in a temporary increase in the depth to 
which water could easily penetrate. The natural swelling of the soil, however. 
would cause it again to become compact every time it was wet. This would 
make it necessary for the operation to be repeated each year,. which would 
involve an expense too great for this method ever to be considered seriously. 
ADDITIONAL COPIES 
OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PROCURED FROM 
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
WASHINGTON, D.C. 
AT 
5 CENTS PER COPY 
V 
WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1916 
£4 
