Pinch of Salt for Chemical Conservation of Moisture

Calcium ions promote structure in the soil, but if this Calcium is replaced by Sodium ions the structure is lost and the soil becomes colloidal and the rate of infiltration of water into the soil is considerably retarded. This has been observed in respect of Rajputana desert sands. The author suggests that this property might be made use of by the foresters who have to carry out artificial regeneration in well drained soils.