ARID AGRICULTURE. 137 



plants. If the water is absorbed by the soil so 

 that it does not stand and freeze, no damage will 

 be done, or if the ground is thoroughly frozen 

 and the water merely forms ice over the surface 

 it does not harm the plants. Usually, the first 

 crop can be produced without irrigation; but 

 alfalfa should be irrigated for each of the second, 

 third, and fourth crops. Some farmers prac- 

 tice irrigating just before cutting the hay. Irri- 

 gating at that time leaves the ground damp, 

 which interferes with mowing, makes the hay 

 more succulent, and delays curing, which may 

 cause injury to the hay. It does, however, put 

 moisture in the ground where it produces a 

 quick and vigorous start from the crowns for the 

 next crop. Alfalfa should be cut, cured, and 

 removed from the ground as quickly as possible. 

 Then irrigate after the cutting. It is easier 

 to spread water on the stubble. The irri- 

 gation can be done better and does not interfere 

 with making the hay. Alfalfa does not stand 

 well in water. The irrigations should be as 

 short as possible. Some of the best farmers in 

 the West now practice furrow irrigation for al- 

 falfa. The furrows are made with a corn mark- 

 er or something of the same kind. They are 

 usually shallow furrows, four or five inches deep, 

 and made two feet apart. Running water 

 through these furrows prevents flooding the 

 crowns, and on many soils better crops are pro- 

 duced. 



