percentage of water than the other soils; and the clay more than the
sand. The tube of organic soil will actually hold a larger amount of
water than the other tubes. (See also Fig. 25.)

In the experiment on page 40 we noticed that the sand took in the
water poured on its surface and let it run through very quickly. This
is a fault of sandy soils.

What can we do for our sandy soils to help them to hold better the
moisture which falls on them and tends to leach through them? For
immediate effect we can close the pores somewhat by compacting the
soil with the roller. For more lasting effects, we can fill them with
organic matter.

Which soils will hold longest the water which they have absorbed? Or
which soils will keep moist longest in dry weather?

[Illustration: FIG. 23.
To show how bottles may be used in place of lamp chimneys shown in
Figs 22 and 24.]

[Illustration: FIG. 24.--CAPILLARITY OF SOILS
To show the relative powers of soils to take water from below.]

[Illustration: FIG. 25.--WATER-ABSORBING AND WATER-HOLDING POWERS OF
SOILS.]

=Experiment.=--Fill a pan or bucket with moist sand, another with
moist clay, and a third with moist organic matter; set them in the sun
to dry and notice which dries last. The organic matter will be found