198 THE IRRIGA TION A GE, 



over the available water supply in most localities that neither the 

 necessity nor the inducement exists for developing and improving 

 lands of great irregularity of surface, and it is not generally nor 

 frequently done. 



Under this system an experienced irrigator can cover from 10 to 

 20 acres a day, the area depending upon the character of the land 

 surface and the volume of water at his disposal. For such crops as 

 grain, alfalfa, clover, and the various grasses for everything, in 

 fact, which is sown broadcast and is distributed uniformly over the 

 surface the flooding system is employed, and furnishes the best, in 

 some cases the only, practicable method of applying the water; but 

 for many other crops this plan is neither the most convenient nor the 

 best method. 



FURROW METHOD. 



Under this method parallel furrows are plowed, leading from the 

 ditch through the field between the rows of the crop to be irrigated. 

 A small opening is made in the ditch to let the water 

 into each furrow. A dam of canvas or earth is placed in the ditch 

 just below the lowest furrow into which water is being run at the 

 time, thus holding the water nearly level in that part of the ditch 

 from which it is being drawn. Where the slope of the ground is 

 excessive, these furrows must run diagonally, or irregularly, in order 

 to reduce their grade and prevent erosion of the soil. 



In the case of fruit trees it is generally found desirable during 

 very hot weather to prevent the water from coming into actual 

 contact with the trees, because of the danger of scalding. Flooding 

 the surface also results, in some soils, in baking and compacting the 

 earth about the trunks and roots of trees. To avoid these conse- 

 quences the furrow system is employed, one or two furrows being 

 plowed along each side of a row of trees, at a distance of two or three 

 feet therefrom, and the water is turned from the ditch into these 

 furrows and permitted to traverse slowly from end to end, thor- 

 oughly soaking the ground as it progresses, -and reaching in to the 

 roots without coming in contact with the stems above the surface. 

 The necessary moisture is thus imparted without the wetting and 

 subsequent baking of the surface which might result from flooding. 

 When the trees are sufficiently irrigated, the water is turned out of 

 these furrows and into others, the process being thus continued until 

 the whole area has been served. The furrows are then filled in with 

 a plow, the whole surface worked over with a cultivator, and no trace 

 left of either the furrows or the application of water. 



This method also requires the attention of an irrigator, to see 

 that the proper amount of water is kept in each furrow, and that it 

 does not break out and flood the surface in places, leaving the furrow 



