wheat or potatoes. Weeds should be abhorred by the farmer. A weed 

 fallow is a sure forerunner of a crop failure." 



Surface Mulch 



A surface mulch is beneficial in preventing the escape of moisture, but 

 is not practical on a large scale. Mulches are formed of straw, manure, 

 leaves or any other organic substance. It has been demonstrated that 

 soil under a mulch during the heat of the day is from one to three degrees 

 cooler than bare soil and the amount of evaporation is much less. It is 

 not advisable, however, to place a mulch on ground where hoed crops 

 are planted until after they have been cultivated once or twice. Mulches, 

 in addition to preventing the escape of moisture and keeping the ground 

 cool, hinder the growth of weeds, if the mulch is thick and compact. 

 They are used very extensively by truck gardeners and are especially 

 beneficial to potatoes, but should not be used until after the potatoes 

 have been cultivated at least twice. After a mulch has been placed on 

 the ground, it should not be disturbed for the reason that roots grow 

 very close to the surface owing to the moist condition of the soil under 

 the mulch, and if the mulch is removed, the plant will suffer for lack of 

 moisture. 



Fertility 



The dry farmer must not lose sight of the necessity of maintaining a 

 high state of fertility. The moisture-absorbing and retaining power of 

 soil depends upon the amount of organic matter it contains and the 

 depth and tilth of the seed-bed. Soil deficient in organic matter will 

 not retain moisture long unless it is a heavy clay. Humus is necessary 

 to hold nitrogen, and it is absolutely essential to maintain soil bacteria. 

 Nitrogen can be maintained by planting alfalfa, cow peas and soy beans. 

 If the soil is deficient in phosphorus, and manure is not available, it 

 should be supplied in commercial form. Humus can be supplied by 

 plowing under green crops, such as peas, buckwheat, rye, vetch, etc. 

 A deep seed-bed is also important, for in such the roots grow deep and 

 are usually very abundant. The fertility in dry land is more lasting 

 than in humid sections for the reason that less is lost by washing away 

 and by leaching. 



Rotation 



Rotation of crops should not be overlooked. Alfalfa is not only a 

 drouth-resisting legume, but it improves the soil in every way. It 

 furnishes organic matter and nitrogen. It renders the soil porous, and 

 makes available latent plant food. A good rotation for the dry farmer 

 to adopt is wheat, peas, potatoes, running alfalfa six years. Other 

 drouth-resisting crops can be placed in a rotation system. Whether 

 in a semi-arid or humid section, any crop grown on the same land year 

 after year will gradually decrease in production. 



