IRRIGATION AND DRY-FARMING 709 



Small applications of water are relatively most efficient. 

 Up to the limit where injury results, the more concentrated 

 the soil solution, the larger is the yield of crop. 



607. Time to apply water. — The best time to apply 

 water depends to a large extent on the nature and habits 

 of the crop. Ordinarily the soil should be thoroughly 

 moistened at the time of planting, in which case the 

 application will have been made before fitting the ground. 

 For sugar beets and other crops planted in rows, it is 

 permissible to irrigate immediately after seeding. The 

 formation of a crust is to be avoided. After planting, 

 water may be applied at intervals of two or four weeks, 

 or when the soil has reached the stage of dryness at which 

 sluggish capillary movement occurs. The experienced 

 irrigator becomes very proficient in recognizing this con- 

 dition. For grain and forage crops, the soil should be well 

 moistened when the crop approaches maturity. For al- 

 falfa, irrigation may be either shortly before or just after 

 harvest with good results. For root crops a relatively 

 dry condition of the soil at maturity is preferred. The 

 same is true for trees, and the large application of water 

 late in the growing season is especially to be avoided 

 because the new wood growth is likely to be winter- 

 killed. Irrigation in spring, especially at blossoming time, 

 is to be avoided because it interferes with the setting of 

 fruit. One or two thorough irrigations in a season are 

 usually sufficient for the growth of trees. Small fruits 

 should have plenty of water at the maturity of the crop. 



Where water is available in late fall and in winter, it 

 may be applied to the soil and stored there for use during 

 the following season. Investigations at the Utah x station 



1 Widtsoe, J. A. The Storage of Winter Precipitation in 

 Soils. Utah Agr. Exp. Sta., Bui. No. 104. 1908. 



