298 



IRRIGATION PRACTICE 



water considerably less than sugar beets. Little exact 

 knowledge has been gained concerning the irrigation of 

 these crops. Practical experience, however, teaches that 

 much water delays the time of ripening; it is usually 

 sufficient to irrigate the garden every two or three weeks; 

 water should be taken off as soon as ripening should com- 

 mence; it is always dangerous to maintain water on these 

 crops in the fall; and the total water required is not 

 greatly different from that required for sugar beets. 



Fio. 78. Plan of potato irrigation. 



180. Potatoes. Potatoes are one of the important 

 irrigated crops. In its water requirements the potato is 

 much like the sugar beet. It is a long-season crop, requir- 

 ing thorough cultivation. It is deep-rooted and prefers 

 deep soil, and does best on land previously grown to 

 alfalfa. 



Potatoes should be irrigated by the furrow method, 

 although both furrowing and flooding methods are used. 

 Water is usually allowed to run down between all the 



