THE IBRIGATION AGE. 



irrigation while cultivating the ground. The ground IB 

 always cultivated with this implement after a rainfall 

 between two irrigations. 



In plowing fields that are to be irrigated cross plow- 

 ing is better than two plowings in the same direction, 

 as there is no danger of making dead furrows. How- 

 ever, ideal conditions can not be secured the first season 

 a field is irrigated. Low places will appear where all 

 was thought to be level and the water will wash from 

 one furrow to another. This is especially true if the 

 furrows are very long. When such low places are found 

 they should be marked, so that they can be filled before 

 the next season. 



On account of the many difficulties met with, about 

 one cubic foot of water per second is all one man can 

 take care of the first season. Later, one man can man- 

 age double this amount. 



Mr. Allman's experience has shown him that the 

 time to irrigate different crops varies greatly, as does 

 also the depth of water to be applied. Cabbage and 

 like plants do well with a shallow irrigation about every 

 ten days or two weeks. Potatoes given a shallow irriga- 

 tion about setting time set well. Too deep an irrigation at 

 this time causes the plants to make too vigorous a leaf 

 growth and set too many potatoes. No crop should be 

 irrigated when in full flower, though a shallow irriga- 

 tion when buds are opening insures an abundance of 

 perfect blooms. Corn does best when the land has re- 

 ceived from five to eight inches of water just before 

 seeding. Given a like irrigation when about ten inches 

 high and again when beginning to tassel there is usually 

 no need for further watering. When the season is par- 

 ticularly dry it is sometimes necessary to give another, 

 but shallower irrigation after the kernels have begun 

 to fill. Fruits irrigated a few days before they are 

 picked are generally fresher looking than those not irri- 

 gated at this time. Mr. Allman irrigated small garden 

 truck about every week. An inch or two of water is 

 usually applied at each watering. 



AN EXAMPLE OF HILLSIDE IRRIGATION. 



On the farm of J. A. Jones, of Scott County, is 

 a fully developed system of hillside irrigation. The 

 water is obtained from springs. A line of drain tile in- 

 tercepts the water from hillside springs. At various 

 points along the line are openings from which the water 

 flows down zigzag furrows between the trees and gar- 

 den truck. The surplus water is connected in a pond 

 used for fish raising and ice making. 



A SERVICEABLE FLUME. 



Mr. Warner, also of Scott County, has installed 

 a system of flumes on his place through which to convey 

 spring water to his fields. The largest flume is about 

 twelve inches across. The bottom is made of 1.5 by 

 12-inch lumber and the sides of 1 by 8-inch lumber. 

 Clear-grained lumber free from knots is chosen for this 

 purpose. To add strength to the flume yokes of 1 by 

 3-inch material are placed every ten feet or so, and in 

 such a way as to have one not more than two feet from 

 the end of each board. Another way of arranging the 

 yokes is to make them of 1 by 6-inch material so that 

 they are wide enough to cover the board joints. The 

 strongest form of brace used was one having dovetailed 

 joints. Where these were used the tail on one of the 

 joints on the lower member was cut deeper than the 

 upper and wedges were driven into the joints, as shown 

 in figure 33. In this way the joint is kept very tight. 



THE NORTHERN HOTEL, Billings, Montana 



The leading hotel of the Queen City of the Yellowstone Country. 

 Steam heated, electric lighted; headquarters for tourists. irrigatu-n men 

 and all who enjoy good service. A. F. McNABB, Manager. 



$2. SO will secure for you one year's subscription to THE 

 IRRIGATION AQE and a finely bound volume of the Primer 

 of Irrigation which will be sent postpaid in a few months, 

 when volume Is completed. The Primer of Irrigation will be 

 finely Illustrated and will contain about 300 pages. Send post 

 office or express money order for $2.50 and secure copy of first 

 | edition. 



One Method 

 Take Your Power to Where it Is Most Needed 



Fairbanks-Morse 



Mechanical Irrigation 



Machinery 



Will often increase value of Arid Land from 

 $1.00 to $100, or even $5OO per acre 



IT'S A SIMPLE PROBLEM 



LET US PROVE IT FOR YOU 



Send for Bulletin No. 650, 1. R. 



Fairbanks, Morse & Co. 

 Irrigation Department 



CHICAGO - - ILLINOIS 



