240 



DRY FARMING 



up to the latter part of June. The amount of water 

 that may be applied to grasses is greater than for any- 

 other crops that are raised. The land selected for the 

 growing of such hay should be reasonably level and 

 should not have too great a slope. In other words, con- 

 ditions must be such that water can be easily and often 



Fig. 85. — Irrigator at Work. 



applied and at not too great expense for labor. It is 

 necessary if the best results are to be obtained that the 

 surface of the soil should never be allowed to dry out. 

 With the grasses a cool, moist condition at the surface 

 is essential for maximum returns. It is also important 

 that the field be given a thorough soaking in- the fall so 

 that the grass may grow vigorously in the spring even 

 before the irrigation water is applied. 



In the preparation of land for timothy some excellent 

 results have been obtained in certain localities where the 

 native sod has not been broken but the surface disked 

 and the seed sown. The seed usually germinates on the 



