RURAL ENGINEERING. 



189 



RURAL ENGINEERING. 



Experiments in supplemental irrigation with, small water supplies at 

 Cheyenne, Wyo:, in 1909, J. H. Gordon (U. .S. Dept. Ar/r.. Office E.rpt. Stas. 

 Ciiv. 95, in). 11, fig. 1). — This circular presents recent results in continuation 

 of investigations previously noted (E. S. R., 22, p. 5SS). 



During 1909, trials were made of irrigation, summer fallowing, and dry 

 farming in the production of fleld crops, and numerous trees, fruits, and garden 

 crops were tested. The Wealthy apple proved better able to withstand adverse 

 conditions than Winesap or Jonathan. Half the plum and cherry trees planted 

 in 11(08 died. Of the shade and forest trees tested the broad-leaf Cottonwood 

 was the only hardy survivor, but the box elder has also been found to do well. 

 Currants withstood the winter without protection, but grew slowly, and like 

 strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and grapes were unsuccessful in bear- 

 ing fruit. 



The yield of millet on summer fallowed land was 2.031 lbs. per acre, that of 

 barley planted in rows 8 in. apart, 10 bu., and when planted 16 in. apart, 18.8 

 bu. per acre. Potatoes dropped 17 in. apart in rows 36 in. apart on summer 

 fallowed ground yielded 50.63 bu. per acre, but when dropped 17 in. apart in 

 rows 46 in. apart the yield was 74.68 bu. The tubers were of all sizes and very 

 scabby and unmarketable. The seed on part of each plat was treated with 

 corrosive sublimate and formaldehyde, but no difference could be observed 

 between the crop from this seed and from untreated seed. Wheat planted in 16 

 in. rows and cultivated was winterkilled seriously and yielded per acre 7 bu. 

 of grain of poor quality, weighing 55 lbs. per bushel. Similar results were 

 obtained with wheat planted in rows 8 in. apart. 



When irrigated in the fall and spring, 2 cuttings of alfalfa produced 4,120 

 lbs. per acre of hay of good quality. A yield of 34* bu. per acre of beardless 

 hull-less barley resulted from fall watering. On 5 acre plats which received 

 "fall or spring watering only," yields were secured of 8 bu. per acre of Defiance 

 wheat of inferior quality, 35 bu. per acre of Swedish Select oats of good quality, 

 39 bu. per acre of Kherson oats, 42 bu. of potatoes, and 16.8 bu. of durum wheat. 

 I'nder dry farming methods 1,000 lbs. of alfalfa, 61 bu. of potatoes, 2,440 lbs. 

 of slender wheat grass. 2,400 lbs. of brome grass, and llA bu. of durum wheat 

 I>er acre were secured. The alfalfa had the appearance of being winterkilled, 

 but the potatoes were of good quality. 



A series of plats was irrigated with what was considered sufficient water to 

 produce the best results, while check plats were left unirrigatal. The results 

 are shown in the following table : 



Yields of irrigated and iiuirrigated fleld crops. 



Methods of applying water to crops, S. Foktier ( U. S. Dcpt. Agr: Yearbook 

 lOOn, pp. 293-308, pi. 1, flgs. 10).— A brief review is given of the recent history 



