Studies in the physical properties of soils: III. Observations on the electrical conductivity of soils

Abstract

1. An improved and simplified laboratory method of measuring the electrical conductivity of soils is described and measurements recorded for diverse soil samples.2. The results for ignited soil lead to certain interesting confirmations of the capillary theory of an ideal soil.3. The results for soils generally indicate a sufficiently simple connection between conductivity and moisture for this property to be made the basis of soil moisture determinations.4. Certain clays were found to form a class apart, and must be regarded as exceptions to the general statement in (3) owing to the more complex nature of the moisture-conductivity relationship.