IRRIGATION OF FIEI.D CROPS. 221 



to get it properly distributed over large areas and 

 through long rows. Much of the land thus watered 

 becomes too wet, while other portions receive an in- 

 sufficient supply. In neither case can the best results 

 be expedled. Another very serious objection to irri- 

 gating with a large head of water is that the water 

 generally contains much insoluble earthy matter, which 

 is ever being deposited as sediment. Waterways 

 become coated and moisture fails to penetrate to the 

 roots of plants along their course. To irrigate properly 

 the furrows must be well made and as nearly free of 

 obstrudlions as careful methods will permit. The 

 slope of the land will determine the distance it is prac- 

 ticable to run water for uniform results. No greater 

 quantity should be turned into each furrow than will 

 flow with uniform rate. Seepage is slow at best and it 

 usualljT^ takes many hours to secure the proper amount 

 of moisture to the soil to prove of lasting benefit. In 

 irrigating corn no great quantities of water are neces- 

 sary, as is the case with root crops. While irrigation at 

 the proper time is often essential to the right develop- 

 ment of the corn produdl, the crop is impaired by 

 excessive watering, and hence there is no more certain 

 way of retarding growth and maturity than by the 

 careless application of water. Better not irrigate at all 

 than to use water lavishly. After the grain glazes 

 there is no further need of water to mature the crop. 

 Caution is advised in irrigating corn on sandy land 

 that the stalks are not washed out at the roots and 

 thus tumble over. 



One of the most successful methods of growing 

 corn by irrigation is to plow irrigating-furrows three 



