214 IRRIGATION FARMING. 



the depth of four feet. In this way it will be seen 

 that it will take about two weeks to get over eighty 

 acres. Generally speaking, the best growth is ob- 

 tained when the grain appears to suffer before it is irri- 

 gated the first time. 



In clay soil the largest yield of both wheat and 

 straw was once obtained in an experimental way by 

 saturating the ground with nearly twenty-seven inches 

 of water during the season. On this soil there was a 

 decrease of crop when either a greater or less amount 

 of water was used. This maximum yield was brought 

 about by the use of nearly twenty-seven acre-inches, 

 which is equivalent to a cubic foot a second for nearly 

 twenty-seven hours. On clay soil containing more 

 sand the yield of wheat increased as the water in- 

 creased up to forty inches. The largest yield of straw 

 was produced with sixteen inches of water, and in 

 a<5lual usage no prac5lical irrigator would think of re- 

 quiring more water than this. It seems preposterous 

 in ac5lual practice to apply such a needless quantity as 

 forty acre-inches in one season, and even twenty - 

 seven inches seems entirely beyond the requirements 

 of common sense. 



When much moisture — rain or irrigation — is ap- 

 plied to the growing crop the bran of the grain is made 

 thicker and the flouring elements inferior. The least 

 possible amount of moisture necessary to mature wheat 

 makes the grain superior for milling purposes. This 

 applies not to wheat alone, but all grain and forage 

 plants as well. Too much water invariably dilutes or 

 diminishes the feeding value of all plants. In arid 

 climates all kinds of wheat become hard and flinty, so 



