252 



SOIL PHYSICS AND MANAGEMENT 



the temperature very much during the night. Corn has com- 

 paratively low water requirement and produces more dry matter 

 for the water used than almost any other crop. Several strains 

 have heen developed that resist drouth well. When acclimated 

 seed is used, seed bed properly prepared and the crop well culti- 

 vated, a failure rarely ever occurs. In almost every season suf- 

 ficient fodder is produced to pay for the crop, and in the more 

 favorable years good yields of grain are obtained. Its principal 

 value lies in the forage it produces. Figure 111 shows corn grown 



Fid. 111. Corn grown on dry -land farm. Note low stalks. Utah. 



on a dry-land farm. The stalks are not so coarse as in humid 

 areas and make better feed. 



(f) Spelt and Emmer have been recommended as crops well 

 adapted to semi-arid conditions. They were imported from Russia, 

 where they have been grown quite extensively as feed for stock. 

 They are very closely related to wheat, but the hull remains attached 

 as with barley. 



(g) Sorghum is one of the principal drouth-resistant crops and 

 yields as much as seven tons per acre. Its chief use is for forage. 



(h) Kafir and Milo Maize. These are well adapted to the 

 Great Plains south of Nebraska and parts of California. The 

 temperature of the higher altitudes is too low for its growth. These 



