150 



IRRIGATION PRACTICE 



applied, this increase is obtained at a distinctly higher 

 water-cost. Moderate irrigations are always most eco- 

 nomical. 



The same figures are presented in a more practical 

 manner in the following table, in which are shown the 

 yields in pounds of dry matter to the acre for each inch 

 of irrigation water under varying total irrigations: 



POUNDS OF DRY MATTER PER ACRE PER INCH OF IRRIGATION WATER 



It is clear from the data of this table that, so far as 

 water is concerned, it is more profitable to use small than 

 large quantities of water. As the total seasonal quantity 

 of water increased, the acre-yield of dry matter, for each 

 inch of irrigation water, varied for wheat from 994 to 

 160 pounds; for corn, from 1,434 to 230 pounds; for 

 alfalfa, from 909 to 199 pounds; for sugar beets, from 1,216 

 to 231 pounds, and for potatoes from 462 to 84 pounds. 

 These are tremendous reductions with increasing appli- 

 cations of water, which of necessity must be considered 

 in the establishment of a consistent practice of irrigation, 

 having as its purpose the reclamation of the largest pos- 



