IRRIGATION OF FIELD CROPS. 101 



is prevalent all those crops must be irrigated more fre- 

 <|iK'iitly, say once a month, in order to induce a steady 

 growth. The various millets should receive the same 

 treatment virtually as prescribed for broom corn. 



Beans. The ground should be plowed at least 

 eight inches deep. A sandy loam is much preferable to 

 a heavier soil. After the ground is plowed it should be 

 thoroughly irrigated. When sufficiently dry plant the 

 beans in rows twenty-eight inches apart, three or four 

 beans to every foot. Irrigate as soon as three or four 

 leaves appear, which will be within a week after they 

 come up. As soon as dry thoroughly cultivate. Irri- 

 gate again about the time that they are in bloom, and give 

 one or two light irrigations afterwards, thoroughly cul- 

 tivating the ground after each irrigation. We have 

 found that the best method of irrigating is by ditching 

 with a single-shovel plow and irrigating in every other row 

 alternately. The water should not be permitted to 

 come in contact with the plants. Beans should be 

 planted as soon as danger of frost is past. The prepa- 

 rations for irrigation may be made with the first culti- 

 vation, and the space between the rows should be util- 

 ized for the water course. Irrigation should take place 

 in ordinary dry weather at least once every ten days, and 

 the crop needs plenty of moisture, especially while the 

 plants are in blossom. If after the blossom is complete 

 the weeds show a preponderance of growth, threatening 

 to choke the progress of the crop, a shallow cultivation 

 should be given, and this will terminate the work for 

 the season. After the pod has fully formed there will 

 be less necessity for water, and as a rule the bean requires 

 no irrigation after the legumes are half grown, for the 

 crop is then made and the harvest certain. The best 

 way to harvest is with a machine working something 

 like a horse rake. Threshing secures the beans. For 

 field varieties we prefer such sorts as the Mexican, Red 

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