I IRRIGATION OF FIELD CROPS. 157 



only objection to such copious irrigation is that it con- 

 duces to the smut or ergot evil. 



Barley. Barley is an easy crop to raise, yet a little 

 disagreeable on account of its beards. It grows quickly 

 and matures early, and requires but half the water for 

 irrigation usually given to oats, and considerably less 

 than wheat. On an average it will produce many more 

 bushels to the acre than will wheat, and brings a. better 

 price. For the best success the land should be plowed 

 moderately deep in the fall, then pulverized thoroughly 

 in the spring, and the seed put in early with a drill. 

 Spring plowing will do, but not quite so well as fall 

 plowing. Irrigation is quite essential while the grain is 

 filling, and during the early ripening period. One and a 

 quarter bushels of seed on rich land is a sufficiency to 

 sow, and a good seedbed is quite as necessary as any irri- 

 gation that may be given it. 



Black barley is said to have many advantages. It 

 yields more to the acre than any other barley. But this 

 is not its only good feature. It can be grown with less 

 irrigation than can wheat, other barley, or oats. If sown 

 early and watered plentifully until the first of July it 

 will then head out and yield a fair crop without further 

 irrigation. This has at least been our experience with this 

 grain. The straw does not grow as long as other grain, but 

 notwithstanding dry weather the heads will usually fill. 



Rye. Of all the cereal crops rye will need a lesser 

 quantity of water and will take care of itself where other 

 things will fail. With a reasonable amount of moisture 

 for germination rye will often get along with but one 

 light soaking any time during its half growth, but if 

 the plants are lagging and seem inclined to dwindle they 

 may be irrigated at any time, and once a month with a 

 medium wetting would do no harm. 



Corn. The preparation of the soil before planting 

 has more to do with the outcome of the crop than any 



