186 IRRIGATION. 



by caution in keeping the soil merely moist, and no more, 

 the plant may be prevented from becoming stunted on 

 the one hand, and on the other, the necessity for topping 

 it, to encourage boiling, may be obviated. The method 

 of planting recommended is, to plow high ridges, or beds, 

 4 1 | a feet wide, in the centre of which a water furrow is 

 made with a small plow. "When the soil has been well 

 soaked from these furrows, the earth is thrown into them 

 from each side, a drill is opened above the moistened soil, 

 and the seed sown in it, and covered with the hoe, not 

 more than one inch deep. If the soil has been well 

 moistened, the seed germinates at once, and only one more 

 irrigation is needed to mature the crop, unless on very 

 light and open soil. The soil is plowed in February, and 

 irrigated and planted in March. The usual methods of 

 cultivation and hoeing are practiced. 



Lucern or Alfalfa. Leguminous plants will suffer from 

 as copious irrigation as may be needed for grass or grain 

 crops. Lucern or Alfalfa being one of the leguminosae 

 must be irrigated with caution, lest the permanence of the 

 crop be endangered. Its long tap roots penetrate deeply, 

 and if much water is given, and the subsoil is at all re- 

 tentive, they will die and rot, and the crop is but short- 

 lived. The character of the soil should be ascertained 

 before ground that is to be irrigated is sown with lucern. 

 When this is known, the periods and amount of the irri- 

 gation may be chosen with accuracy. In Central France, 

 this crop is extensively grown, and yields amazingly under 

 the warm sun and frequent waterings ; but in England, 

 lucern does not succeed. It is peculiarly a crop of warm, 

 dry climates, and in California it has been grown with 

 the most satisfactory results, both upon reclaimed " tule " 

 lands, and valley lands. It there requires watering from 

 once a week to once a month, according to the character 

 of the soil. As long as moisture is within reach of the 

 roots, the surface may be left dry, but stagnant water in 



