68 AGRICULTURE 



5. Dangers from Over-irrigation 



The dangers from over-irrigation need to be guarded 

 against as carefully as those of shortage of moisture. The 

 Utah Agricultural College and the Utah Conservation Com- 

 mission have jointly issued the following suggestions to irri- 

 gation farmers: 



OVER IRRIGATION IS A MENACE TO UTAH, 

 BECAUSE 



1. Smaller crop yields are obtained for each unit of 

 water used. 



2. More plant food is taken up by the plant for each 

 pound of crop. 



3. The quality of the crops is greatly reduced. 



4. Straw is produced at the expense of grain. 



5. Plant food is washed out of the soil. 



6. Lower-lying lands become water-logged. 



7. Other dry lands are cheated of irrigation water. 



8. The extension of the irrigated area is hindered. 



9. A wholesome community spirit is lowered wherever 

 water is wastefully used. 



The same authorities have set forth the following ir- 

 rigation rules, which are worth the attention of all who 

 are interested in irrigation. 



1. Store the rainfall in the soil. Deep thorough 

 plowing enables the soil to absorb and retain most of the 

 rain and snow water. The more rainfall is stored in the 

 soil the less irrigation water will be needed. 



2. Use the spring and fall water. Where the win- 

 ters are dry, fall irrigation or early spring irrigation will 

 reduce the irrigation water needed during the growing 

 season. 



