GROWING WHEAT BY IRRIGATION AT GREELEY, COL. 



BY JNO. G. HALL. 



Wheat will follow potatoes as a second staple production of this 

 vicinity. Wheat is usually put in on the ground that has raised a crop 

 of potatoes the previous year, which are dug in October. The ground 

 is left smooth by the diggers that we use. About the middle of 

 March the potato tops are raked and burned. Then the spring-tootb 

 harrow is used to loosen the soil, so the seed may be covered. Then 

 after the seed has been vibrated in sacks to kill the smut germs, it is 

 drilled. The White Australian and the Defiance varieties are most 

 commonly used. As soon as the wheat is about four inches high, or 

 covers the ground nicely, irrigation commences. Open ditches ara 

 run lengthwise the field, about 100 feet apart, throwing a furrow both 

 ways. The irrigation is done in lands, orie land at a time until the- 

 field is finished. A second irrigation takes place in about ten days, 

 which usually is sufficient, but some irrigate the third time if the 

 weather be dry and hot. The most important time to irrigate wheat 

 is when it is developing the head. After the kernel is full size it 

 will not require more water, as there is moisture enough in the straw 

 to carry it along until ripe. Wheat that is sown March 20 will ripen 

 about July 25. Harvesting is done with self binders and headers, th& 

 major portion being cut with binders, as grain cut with headers aiid 

 put immediately into stack does not keep altogether satisfactory. 

 Thrashing is done by large separators with self feeders, and twenty 

 horse power traction engines. The owners of machine hire all the 

 help required and board the same by means of a boarding car 

 mounted on wheels, which moves from job to job. Cost of thrashing 

 runs about four cents per bushel for either wheat, oats or barley. 



LITTLE THINGS, 



A little spring had lost its way 



Among the grass and fern; 

 A passing stranger scooped a well 



Where weary men might turn, 

 He walled it in and hung with care 



A ladle at its brink 

 He thought not of the deed he did, 



But judged that toil might drink. 

 He passed again, and lo! the well, 



By summers never dried, 

 And cooled ten thousand parched tongues 



And saved a life beside. Selected. 



