Bulletin No. 35. 122 



PREPARATION FOR IRRIGATION. 



Since in our region all vegetables are irrigated at some stage 

 of their development, the contemplated method of irrigating them 

 must be taken into consideration when they are planted. With 

 reference to their subsequent irrigation, vegetables may be plant- 

 ed in four different ways: 



1. They may be planted in level soil, as they would be where 

 irrigation is not necessary or practicable, and then furrowed for 

 irrigation when in need of water. This method may be pursued 

 with many vegetables planted during winter in soil fairly retentive 

 of moisture. From the latter part of November to February, 

 beets, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radishes, spinach and turnips may 

 be planted in the above manner, and will need no irrigation for 

 some time after coming up. But the soil must be thoroughly ir- 

 rigated just before its preparation for seeding, in order to make 

 this possible. If this be done, and the seed be planted before the 

 surface of the soil becomes dry, it wiil germinate before the re- 

 quired moisture has left the soil surrounding it, and for some time 

 the roots will push downward faster than the soil will dry. Most 

 of the vegetables mentioned above make a better growth by this 

 method than by any other. As soon as they give evidence of suf- 

 fering for water, it should be applied in freshly opened furrows. 



2. A second method is to make furrows the distance apart 

 the rows of the vegetable to be planted are desired, and wet the 

 sides of the furrow by a stream of water run for a sufficient length 

 of time to permit it to soak over several inches from the margin. 

 Within a few days, when the soil has become dry enough to be 

 stirred, the seed are planted along the margin of the furrow, and 

 not irrigated until they are up. This method is especially applic- 

 able to beans, corn, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, squashes, and 

 to tomatoes planted in hills where they are to remain; and may- 

 be used in planting some vegetables with smaller seeds sown in 

 drills. Most vegetables do better if started without irrigation be- 

 tween planting and germination, and the aim should be to pursue 

 this method whenever practicable. 



3. A third method is to sow the seed in dry or only slightly 

 moist soil along the margin of furrows through which water is run 



