1G2 IRRIGATION FARMING. 



and White Kidney, Lima and the Marrow, rather than 

 the Navy, which, however, is largely produced by some 

 growers. 



Peas. This crop may be planted for either grain 

 or forage, and in a general way the handling of the crop 

 is not materially different from that for beans. Plant- 

 ing should be done by the first of April, and unless the 

 season is an exceptionally dry one, irrigation about the 

 first of July, or just at the blossoming period, is all that 

 is demanded. For grain the peas may be sown in drills, 

 or broadcast. Forty pounds to the acre in the former 

 case and sixty-five in the latter are about right. If 

 broadcasted the seed should be lightly plowed under. 

 For forage growth alone it is best to sow broadcast two 

 and one-half bushels an acre of the smaller Canadian 

 field pea, and three to three and one-half bushels of the 

 Marrowfat. Then cross-plow the seed under not less 

 than four inches deep. Add to these one bushel of oats 

 an acre, and after the seed is well put in mark out the 

 field furrows about the same as for grain. It is always 

 best to irrigate when the peas are in blossom, and then, 

 when they are past the boiling stage and the pods are 

 green enough to dry and hold the grain, cut them with 

 a mowing machine, throwing each swath out of the way. 

 For hay do not allow the ground to dry, as prolific 

 growth of vine is what is desired. Some years it will 

 take four or five irrigations, while other years three will 

 be found sufficient. The great secret in raising pea hay 

 is in curing it. For small crops the best way is to cut 

 the vines with a hand scythe, and let them lay as cut for 

 twenty- four hours, then take a fork and make them into 

 large cocks, which should remain undisturbed for a 

 period of two weeks, by which time they are well cured. 

 Never open them. When they are ready to stack simply 

 turn the cocks over one day before drawing them in, as 

 ih l)')t/om of the cock will be found to contain enough 



