OCR Text |
Show HOW WATER MOVES IN SOIL Surprising Facts Are Shown by the Government Experiments In Orchards Or-chards of California. Most farmers are under the impression im-pression that water moves from the surface straight down into the soil that is, evenly on all sides, when it is applied to a single spot or in a ditch. This is not the way the water is absorbed. Government experiments in California Cali-fornia orchards show the lateral movement move-ment of water is surprising. Where water, was sent through irrigating ditches between rows of trees the soil was wet to a considerable depth but in wedges of V shapes and that the writer had moved laterally only about to feet. In soils that are in good condition the movement of water either up or down. is not very great but the lateral movement is extremely slight. This kLowledge is of vast importance in the application of fertilizer and explains many of the failures becauBe they must have water to make them available1 avail-able1 as plant food and if placed too far from the plants the latter will be receiving no benefit. These facts will be of value to the growers of fruit and vegetables where drenching or sprinkling is resorted to. Of course nature's way of supplying moisture to the entire surface is the best but if we water our plants It Is better to apply fertilizer first and then give a thorough drenching in order that the moisture will dissolve the fertilizer and send it to the roots. |