28 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1903. 



intensive system, with a decrease in the size of farms and the wider 

 introduction of irrigation. In some cases an incongruous mixture of 

 the two s} T stems is seen, the most frequent deficiency being in the 

 matter of the preparation of the land. Where grain is grown the 

 plowing often consists of merely scratching the surface of the soil 

 with a harrow. Upon the lighter soils, following corn or some other 

 closely cultivated crop, this might be sufficient, but in the heavier soils 

 the seeding of grain upon alfalfa stubble or pasture land in this man- 

 ner is a mere makeshift such as deserves no place under any system 

 of agriculture. Deficient preparation and cultivation renders the soil 

 compact and increases evaporation and the accumulation of alkali, 

 makes it difficult of aeration and root penetration, and hinders the 

 formation of plant food. 



More care is often taken in harvesting and marketing the crop than 

 in raising it. Alfalfa is the principal crop of the valley. Three and 

 sometimes four cuttings are obtained, yielding from 4 to 6 tons per 

 acre. This is usually baled and shipped out of the area, bringing 

 about $10 a ton loaded on the cars. The cost of cutting, stacking, 

 and baling should not greatly exceed $2 a ton, and the hay will usually 

 bring $5 a ton in the stack. 



Corn, wheat, and barley are also important crops in this area. Corn 

 is usually planted in midsummer and harvested in October, and 

 frequently follows a crop of wheat or barley. In favorable seasons 

 wheat yields from 30 to 40 bushels per acre and there is a good demand 

 for the grain at fairly high prices for local milling purposes. The 

 old-established Sonora variety is generall} 7 grown and is sown late in 

 the season. The White Russian variety is grown to some extent and 

 is sown in the early fall. The former variety is, however, most com- 

 monly raised, being more resistant to drought. The grain is of good 

 weight and makes excellent flour. 



The use of commercial fertilizers is very limited; the use of stable 

 and green manures is common, but might be greath r extended with 

 beneficial results. The rotation of crops receives much less attention 

 than it should. 



Irrigation of the grains and alfalfa is mainly by flooding in rectan- 

 gular or contour checks. Irrigation immediately after seeding is usu- 

 ally avoided when the water carries much sediment, as this sometimes 

 forms a close, compact la} T er over the seed bed, through which the 

 3 7 oung plants make their way with difficulty. The fruits, vegetables, 

 and similar crops are irrigated by the furrow method. With this 

 method the alkali salts have a tendency to accumulate in the eleva- 

 tions over which the water does not flow. Irrigation by flooding, 

 coupled with artificial drainage when necessary, and deep and fre- 

 quent plowing and cultivation, should be the general practice. 



