396 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. I, No. s 
Physical Conditions Indicated 
The conditions in shadscale land as regards moisture and salt content 
of the soil are shown in Table X, which gives the results of various 
borings in typical areas. 
Table X .—Shadscale association: Moisture conditions and salt content of the soil in 
typical areas . 1 
Date of collection. 
Item. 
No. of sample. 
Depth 
of soil 
(foot). 
Moisture equivalent. 
Wilting coefficient. 
Moisture content above or below 
wilting coefficient. 
Salt content. 
June. 
3 
7 
17 
34 
0 10 
•36 
.40 
0.05 
•05 
. 22 
26 
24. 2 
3 i -4 
34 -o 
33 * 7 
13 * 1 
17.0 
18.5 
18.3 
“6. 5 
- 4*5 
-5. 1 
-4.6 
•OS 
.44 
.88 
.88 
26 
23-4 
28.8 
32.4 
32. 6 
12. 7 
IS-6 
17. 6 
17. 7 
- 5-9 
S* 2 
- 4-8 
— 3 - 6 
.07 
• 29 
.82 
•94 
July. 
56 
21. 7 
36.1 
35- 8 
29 - S 
11. 8 
19- 6 
19 - S 
16. o 
— 4 - 7 
5* 2 
—5- 2 
- 6.6 
.06 
. 22 
.88 
.88 
August. 
22.4 
27. 9 
35-8 
26. 9 
IS- 1 
19 - 5 
14. 6 
- 5 - 2 
—5.8 
-4.8 
-7.1 
. 06 
. 27 
1. 06 
.80 
108 
0.05 
.42 
1. 14 
117 
o. 12 
• 54 
.88 
1.14 
Aver¬ 
age. 
22.9 
31-0 
34*5 
30*6 
12.4 
16.8 
18.7 
16.6 
- 5-6 
- 5 -a 
“ 5-0 
“ 5*5 
.07 
•32 
•78 
•93 
1 All data in this table are stated in percentages of the dry weight of the soil. The moisture contents 
with a plus sign (+) represent moisture available for growth (above the wilting coefficient), while those 
with a minus sign (—) represent a corresponding deficit of available moisture (below the -wilting coeffi¬ 
cient). 
Comparison with the corresponding data in Table IX shows little 
difference in the physical conditions of the shadscale and Kochia land. 
The surface foot of soil in the shadscale association usually contains more 
gravel and is of somewhat lighter texture, as indicated by the somewhat 
lower average moisture equivalent. This, together with the rougher 
surface of the land, would indicate more favorable conditions for the 
penetration of water. 1 On the other hand, the second, third, and fourth 
feet show a more constant and more pronounced deficit of available 
moisture than is the case in Kochia land. At first glance this would 
seem to confute the assumption that the conditions for the penetration 
of water are better than on Kochia land, but it must be remembered 
that in shadscale land, which supports much the heavier vegetation, the 
loss of water by transpiration must be greater. 
The average salt content at all depths down to 4 feet is somewhat 
smaller in shadscale than in Kochia land, but in this respect the dif¬ 
ference between the two types is of small importance. 
1 In some parts of the shadscale area, especially where Kochia vestiia is abundant, a tendency to the for¬ 
mation of hardpan at a depth of about 24 inches was noted, but this condition appears to be exceptional 
in Tooele Valley. 
