SPECIAL FARM TOPICS 



297 



bushels per acre, ranging in value from 60 cents to 90 cents a bushel, 

 has been reported. (Ex. S. Bui. 210.) 



Fruits. The growing of fruit is profitable in many localities. 

 An orchard in South Dakota 5 acres in extent, raised about 1,000 

 bushels of apples, besides pears, plums, and cherries. The net profits 

 are stated to be over $1,000 per year, or $200 per acre. The trees 

 are several years old and in full bearing. 



Vegetables. The raising of vegetables and small fruits is also 

 a profitable industry. The yield is quite large, and the labor of cul- 

 tivation is considerable, but the profits vary according to local con- 

 ditions affecting the markets. The net returns range from $50 to 

 $200 per acre. (Ex. S. Bui. 210.) 



Crop Returns. The crop returns under irrigation in the semi- 

 arid region vary greatly with the crops grown. The returns as 

 estimated in several states averaged as follows : Arkansas Valley in 

 Kansas, $96.36 per acre per year; Platte Valley in Nebraska, $67 per 

 acre per year ; and on the plains in Eastern Colorado, $65 per acre. 

 On one ranch the gross returns from 10 acres were estimated at $175, 

 and the net returns, deducting the cost of raising the crop and inter- 

 est on the cost of the reservoirs, $130, or $13 per acre. On another 

 ranch the 35 'acres irrigated gave a net return of $355, or more than 

 $10 per acre. Another ranch on which were irrigated 175 acres of 

 alfalfa and native hay shows net returns of $2,500 more than $14 

 per acre. It is apparent from these statements that irrigation in the 

 semiarid region, in connection with dry farming or stock raising, is 

 profitable. (A. R. Ex. S. 1908.) 



Quantities of Water Applied to Crops. The quantities of water 

 used on the leading crops of the arid region under field conditions 

 have been measured in many places throughout the arid region, and 

 the averages for the various crops in the different States and Terri- 

 tories are brought together in the following table: 



Water Used on Different Crops. 



A second average, excluding the Nevada measurements, is in- 

 cluded in the table for the purpose of comparing the requirements 

 of the crops. Much more water is used in Nevada than elsewhere, 

 and the occurrence of Nevada measurements in some columns and 

 not in others destroys the comparison. According to these averages 

 the largest quantity of water is used on alfalfa, the other crops re- 



