The Effect of Climate and Weather on the Soil. 19 
Seasons preceded by dry summers and dry winters 1 
Rainfall of 
Number of days on 
which the 
drain gauges ran 
Yield of wheat, bushels per acre 
Summer 
before 
Winter 
Dunged 
plot, 2b 
Complete 
artificials 
plot 16 
Difference 
sowing 
(July-Sept.) 
inch. 
(Oct.-Mar.) 
inch 
Summer 
Winter 
in favour 
of dung 
5-63 
11-91 
8 
45 
36-9 
30-5 
+ 6-4 
Total produce, lb. per acre 
7,537 
6,375 
+ 1,162 
Seasons preceded by dry summers and wet winters 2 
7-72 
17-19 
17 
93 
Means for the whole period, 1874 — 1912. 
6-93 
15-18 
13 
75 
Yield of wheat, bushels per acre 
32-5 
346 
2-1 
Total produce, lb. per acre 
5,489 
6,577 
- 1,088 
Yield of wheat, bushels per acre 
34-2 
33-1 
+ Id 
Total produce, lb. per acre 
6,269 
6,500 
231 
1 The harvests were 1888, ’98, 1901. ’02, ’03. ’05, ’07, ’09. 
2 The harvests were 1874, ’75, ’77, ’81, ’82, ’84, ’85, ’87, ’97, 1900, ’ll, 12. 
of its past history, and among the items that go to make up its 
history the weather immediately preceding is no small one. 
How can the Effects of a Bad Season on the Soil 
be Overcome ? 
For practical purposes the bad effects may be reduced to 
three groups : — 
The texture of the soil is injured. 
The manufacture of plant food is interfered with. 
Loss of nitrate occurs. 
Whenever the texture of the soil has suffered the agricul- 
turalist immediately turns to lime as the best remedial agent, 
unless, indeed, the winter is near and there is the possibility of 
laying up the land rough to be mellowed by the winter frosts 
if they come. Lime no doubt is useful after a bad season, but 
its action is only incomplete, for it does nothing to replace the 
lost nitrates or to prevent any further loss. 
