SPECIAL FARM TOPICS 233 



This very wise provision of nature supplies the means whereby man 

 is able to transport and adapt crops to new and heretofore untried 

 conditions. He is only barred in his progress by the limitations 

 nature has set. 



There is little doubt but that strains of seed of certain crops 

 which have been successfully grown for years under trying semi- 

 arid conditions will be in great demand. As a result of this demand 

 we may reasonably expect pedigreed dry farm crops to appear and 

 they will fill an important want. 



To give a list of crops suited to dry farming for all sections 

 and conditions is practically impossible. Crops that are well suited 

 to a certain class of conditions would be wholly unsuited to another. 

 Therefore, the following brief list must be considered only as sug- 

 gestive : 



Cereals. Wheat stands at the head among the cereal crops for 

 dry farming areas and it probably stands at the head of all crops 

 for this purpose when everything is considered, adaptability to dry 

 farming conditions, cost of production, profits, etc. There are cer- 

 tain classes of wheats that do best under drouthy conditions. The 

 durum or macaroni wheats seem to do exceedingly well when com- 

 pared with other classes, yet there are varieties among other classes 

 which also do well on dry farms. Spelt, oats, rye and barley are all 

 used on occasion. Barley is probably the poorest crop mentioned 

 because it is comparatively a shallow rooted crop and for this reason, 

 likely to prove less valuable than a crop which forages more deeply 

 for its food. 



Sorghums. Both saccharine and non-saccharine sorghums are 

 grown. Fodder cane, kafir corn, Jerusalem corn and doura belong 

 in this class. They should be sown for hay with a hoe drill or plant- 

 ed with a corn planter and cultivated. The sorghums may also be 

 double rowed, i. e., planted in groups of two rows about eight inches 

 apart and cultivated. 



Millets. Among the millets are found some of the most paying 

 dry farm crops. Some of them grow and mature with a remarkably 

 small amount of moisture present in the soil and at the same time 

 the period of growth is very short. 



Legumes. There are a few legumes that have shown value 

 as dry farm crops. Peas, beans and alfalfa are the most promising 

 although in order to secure a stand of alfalfa it will very probably 

 require summer fallowing one year in order to accumulate sufficient 

 moisture to insure perfect germination. After a stand is secured 

 alfalfa has given good results in some sections. The alfalfa should 

 be sown with the hoe drill and rather deeply for such small seed. 



Vegetables. Garden vegetables form an important group. 

 They add so greatly to a bounteous table supply. Many vegetables 

 grow to the proper stage for consumption in a few weeks, and there- 

 fore, are surer than almost any other class of crops. If markets are 

 available they may be made a source of considerable revenue. 



Trees. Both fruit and shade trees are grown in districts where 

 dry farming is practiced. The home surroundings may be made 



