Moisture in the Soil

In order for soil to be fertile, it must be able to absorb and hold in enough moisture for crops.

The amount of crop that is grown may depend more on the amount of moisture available than on the amount of food, heat, light in the soil, or on the quality of the manure.

Nothing can grow in dry soil, no matter its physical condition or how much plant food it has.

Many scientists think that most crops do not grow as well as they could because they do not get enough moisture.

Rain may evaporate from the surface of the soil, run off into ditches, or percolate in springs.

If crops are grown on sandy or gravelly soil that drains freely, the amount of crops produced are increased greatly.

Soils that can store the most rain in a way that plants can use it most effectively will be the most fertile.

Crops should be given all the moisture they need during their greatest periods of growth.

Draining land of stagnant of water and deeply working it helps it to retain sufficient moisture, even in dry seasons.