FARMING UNDER IRRIGATION 69 



3. Cultivate frequently and thoroughly. Water is 

 easily lost from soils by evaporation. The soil should be 

 thoroughly cultivated early in the spring, as soon as pos- 

 sible after irrigation, and usually once or more between ir- 

 rigations. Thorough cultivation will reduce the water 

 needed in irrigation. 



4. Keep the soil fertile. The more fertile a soil is, 

 the less water is needed to produce a pound or ton of the 

 crop. Plow deeply, cultivate thoroughly, use barnyard 

 manure, and less irrigation water will be needed. 



5. Plant in well-moistened soil. Well-moistened soil 

 at planting time permits better root development, and de- 

 lays the time of the first irrigation, and thus saves irriga- 

 tion water during the summer. If rains and snow do not 

 moisten soils sufficiently for planting, irrigate in fall, or 

 in early spring, before planting. 



6. Don't irrigate too early. By postpoining as long 

 as possible the first irrigation after planting, a better root 

 development is secured and less irrigation water is needed 

 to produce the crop. 



7. Irrigate by the correct method. Where water is 

 plentiful, the flooding method may be used; where water 

 is scarce, the furrow method only should be employed. 

 Lead the waste water from the furrows to other fields. 



8. Irrigate at the proper time. Withhold water until 

 the crop is in real need. When irrigating, apply enough 

 water to supply the crop for at least ten days. Irrigate 

 thoroughly, when potatoes are in bloom; corn in tassel 

 or silk; lucerne just beginning to bud, and grains forming 

 seed. 



9. Use water in moderation. The acre yield of a 

 crop increases as more water is used, up to a certain limit, 

 beyond which more water causes a decrease in the yield. 



10. Spread the water over larger areas. The yield 



