244 IRRIGATION FARMING. 



after sowing and marking out irrigating ditches for 

 turnips as closely as twenty inches apart if sown broad- 

 cast. When sown in drills clean cultivation by shallow 

 plowing or harrowing will increase the yield and make 

 more uniform roots. Weeds must be kept down to 

 insure good results. Irrigation by the furrow system 

 is no doubt best unless there is some method of sub- 

 surface water in use. Small plants require moisture 

 but will not stand much water, and therefore should 

 be irrigated very sparingly. It is a good idea to run 

 the water through the small ditches just long enough 

 to moisten the surface on each side. Too much water 

 will cause the soil to bake or become soggy, and 

 shorten the yield in proportion to the excess of irriga- 

 tion. The writer believes that in field culture of 

 turnips better results will be realized by the use of the 

 corrugating roller instead of plowing out the furrows 

 in the old-fashioned way. 



Canaigre. — This is a species of dock- weed coming 

 into great popularity in the southwest on account of 

 the tannic acid contained in the roots. The tubers 

 must be planted in the early fall, much the same as 

 potatoes. With rain or irrigation in the fall the leaves 

 appear and a new crop of roots is formed. The irriga- 

 tion should begin by 0(5lober ist, and the soil should 

 be kept moist through the winter and up to May ist, 

 after which no more water is needed until August ist, 

 the harvest taking place late in September. Deep cul- 

 tivation should be pradlicied after each irrigation, and 

 between times if the land  requires it. With most 

 lands five irrigations should be given the year's crop 

 and at least as many cultivations. An average yield 



