106 



ARID AGRICULTURE. 



METHODS 

 FOR SANDY* 



SOILS 



On sandy soils, and especially on soils that 

 are spotted with sandy or gravelly places, the 

 flooding methods are usually more satisfactory 

 than the furrow method. It is sometimes impos- 

 sible to run a small stream of water in furrows 

 through a loose sandy or gravelly soil, as it sinks 

 into the soil almost as fast as it can be turned 

 into the furrow. For short distances this may 

 be satisfactory, but in general it is best on such 

 soils to use a large head of water and flood the 

 ground as rapidly as possible. The check method 

 of flooding makes this kind of ground especially 

 easv to work. 



METHODS 

 FOR STEEP 



ELOPES 



METHODS 

 FOR SLIGHT 

 SLOPES 



The contour check method may be used on 

 steep slopes. When the checks are made very 

 narrow 011 this kind of ground, this method is 

 called terracing. Furrows may be also used on 

 moderately steep slopes, where they are run on 

 grades only slightly below contour lines. Care 

 must be taken with any method on steep ground, 

 that the water does not get a start down the steep- 

 est slope, as it very quickly gathers force and 

 volume and may cut the ground badly. 



For very level ground the check method is 

 often found most advantageous. For slight 

 slopes the furrow method has some important 

 advantages over the check. Ground sloping 

 from four to ten feet to the mile can be easilv 



