DRY-LAND AGRICULTURE 



255 



The Colorado Station recommends the following amounts, al- 

 though this may vary with the condition of the soil: 



Pounds of Seed Per Acre for Different Crops lt 



Corn, single grains, 15 to 18 inches apart. 



Merrill of Utah recommends that oats and barley be seeded at 

 the rate of three pecks per acre; rye, two pecks; alfalfa, six pounds, 

 and other crops in proportion. 



Acclimated Seed. The seed to be planted on a dry-land 

 farm should have been grown under semi-arid conditions. 

 Farmers from humid regions frequently take seed with them when 

 they go on the dry farm and crop failure results. Usually several 

 years are required for a crop from humid regions to become 

 thoroughly adapted to its new conditions so that it will produce well. 

 1 1 is far better for the farmer to obtain seed already accustomed 

 to dry conditions. 



QUESTIONS 



1. Upon what three things does the adaptation of land for dry fanning 



depend ? 



2. What conditions of soil are best? What are objectionable? 



3. From the standpoint of water requirements, what are some of the {jowl 



crops for dry farming? 



4. Tlow does cultivation lessen the water requirement of crops? 



5. Why do crops on summer fallow produce more than where cropped con- 



tinuously? 

 0. What conditions in arid regions make a large run-olF possible? 



7. What conditions allow a large evaporation? 



8. What is the most desirable depth to plow in dry farming? 



9. Why is fall plowing more desirable under dry-farm conditions? 



10. dive the advantages in the use of the subsurface packer. 



11. To what extent may the fall and winter rain and snowfall be stored 



in the soil for crops? 



12. What alxHit weeds on a dry-hind farm? 

 IH. How does transpiration vary? 



14. What important points should be observed in selecting crops and seed 

 for the drv farm ? 



