IRRIGATION OF FIELD CROPS. 103 



been shed the staminate stalks should be prilled out, so 

 as to give more room for the ripening of the seed. It is 

 quite necessary through all hemp culture to keep the 

 soil well moistened, but not so saturated as to be classed 

 as too wet. 



Cotton. But few crops need so little water as does 

 cotton, the only essential point being to keep the soil in 

 a moist condition. Plow high ridges or beds four and 

 one-half feet wide, much the same as for hemp, but pro- 

 vide the irrigating furrow lengthwise in the middle, 

 using a small shovel plow for this pin-pose. Give the 

 beds a good preparatory irrigation. Sow the seed an 

 inch deep in opened drills and press down firmly after 

 depositing the seed. If the bed has had a liberal soak- 

 ing, as described, but one more irrigation usually is re- 

 quired, and this should be given as the plants begin to 

 boll. The plowing is done in February and the sowing 

 takes place in March. 



Hops. This crop will grow on a great variety of 

 soil?, but the deep alluvial river bottom mixed with clay 

 will produce the best quality and greatest quantity. 

 While hop roots must have moisture, and in friable 

 lands will go deep in search of it, wet lands are not the 

 best and are even unsuitable. Hops are perennial, and 

 when set in kindly soil the roots will go down several feet 

 and will draw moisture from very great depths in any 

 weather, unless prevented by a hard subsoil. To secure 

 the best results it is absolutely necessary to select soil 

 that is naturally drained, or that which is thoroughly 

 underdrained before planting. A yard set 6x6 feet will 

 give 1031 hills to the acre. Take the sets from the 

 pruned runners and cut them in pieces so as to have 

 three pairs of eyes to each piece. Plant these pieces at 

 the proper distances, being careful to place them three 

 or four inches deep. Thus when the land washes level, 

 the crown will be under the ground. The first move 



