Field Irrigation ~by Furroivs 353 



where the soil must be prepared for planting by first 

 watering, it is very important, especially with pota- 

 toes, that the soil should be thoroughly saturated to a 

 depth of 4 feet before fitting the ground. 



If these crops are to follow clover or alfalfa, as 

 will usually be the case, the preliminary watering may 

 be given in the late winter or early spring by one of 

 the flooding methods, if the ground has been fitted for 

 that ; but however the saturation is accomplished, the 

 soil should have all it will carry at the time of fitting 

 for seed, unless natural rainfall may be depended 

 upon. 



After planting, frequent surface tillage to conserve 

 the moisture should be practiced, and the crop carried 

 forward as far as possible without irrigation. The 

 harrow should follow the planter at once for both 

 maize arid potatoes, and frequently thereafter as long 

 as the crop will bear it without injury, which will be 

 after both are well out of the ground. 



Where a vigorous growth of vines can be main- 

 tained by intertillage alone until they cover the 

 ground and the tubers begin to set, this is by far the 

 best practice for potatoes. So, too, is it best for 

 nearly all crops planted in rows which permit of cul- 

 tivation ; and it should ever be kept in mind that 

 4 feet of good soil well saturated and well cared for 

 by intertillage may easily carry 6 and even 8 inches 

 of available water, and this, under good conditions, 

 is far more effective than any which may be ap- 

 plied later. 



When potatoes are ready to be laid by, the last 



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