IRRIGATION OF FIELD CROPS. 2ig 



One in particular lodged quite badly and went down 

 flat, but the last few inches of the stalk turned up 

 enough to keep the heads off the ground, and though 

 difficult to cut and bind, the grains were plump, well 

 filled out, and the yield was enormous. 



Rye. — Of all the cereal crops rye will need a lesser 

 quantity of water and will take care of itself where 

 other things will fail. With a reasonable amount of 

 moisture for germination rye will often get along with 

 but one light soaking any time during its half growth, 

 but if the plants are lagging and seem inclined to 

 dwindle they may be irrigated at any time, and once a 

 month with a medium wetting would do no harm. 



We have found that in the absence of adequate 

 rains land to be sown to winter rye should be flooded 

 with five inches of water before plowing the ground 

 preparatory to seeding. As soon thereafter as the 

 ground is in order, plow and follow with a harrow or 

 other suitable implement to pulverize all clods. The 

 ground will then be in excellent condition to seed, 

 which should be done with a press drill, preferably run 

 northeast and southwest. No more water is required 

 until just before freezing- up time, when a flooding 

 equal to three or four inches of water should be given 

 the rye fields. Generally this is done about the last 

 week in November in Colorado. Again in the spring, 

 as soon as frost is out of the ground, give another 

 flooding of three or four inches. Once more only, and 

 just when the first indication of heading is seen, give 

 the last flooding of three inches, which completes the 

 irrigation. These rules will apply to winter wheat as 

 well. 



