208 DRY LAND FARMING 



applies also to the Irish potato, except in so far as quality 

 is concerned. The quality of the potato grown without 

 irrigation is much superior. For use on the farm, 'how- 

 ever, all these crops may be grown with more or less ad- 

 vantage. But their introduction will probably be gradual. 



Fruits and vegetables that may be grown. The 

 discussion will dwell: (1) on the place for small fruits 

 in dry areas; (2) the place for large fruits; (3) the place 

 for vegetables, and (4) the place for fruits that may yet 

 be introduced. As these hav6 not as yet been grown 

 over much of the dry area, the discussion on the growing 

 of fruits and vegetables cannot be so complete as could 

 be desired. It is not to be expected that these products 

 will become staples in the semi-arid country, nor is it to 

 be expected that they will be grown extensively for the 

 market. It would not be easy to grow them under dry 

 conditions so as to compete with the same under condi- 

 tions where irrigation is practised. This does not mean, 

 however, that they may not be grown in many instances 

 at a profit, for this has been done both in the line of 

 fruits and vegetables, even where the annual precipita- 

 tion has been less than 15 inches. 



The small fruits that may be grown include cur- 

 rants, gooseberries/ raspberries and strawberries, and 

 along with these may be included plums and cherries, 

 and also grapes. The currants and berries mentioned 

 may be grown in practically all the tillable portions of 

 the semi-arid country, and the same is true of plums. 

 Cherries, however, will not endure the winters in the 

 northeastern portions of the semi-arid area. Whether 

 raspberries will have to be laid down in winter and cov- 

 ered, and whether strawberries must be covered to in- 

 sure a crop, will depend on the latitude. That all these 

 may be grown in ample supply to meet the needs of the 

 farmer need not be questioned, but the best methods of 

 growing them are not generally understood as yet as 



