156 



DRY-FARMING 



makes the soil more porous, and, therefore, more ef- 

 fectively worked for the prevention of evaporation. 

 Wlien this practice is continued for considerable 

 periods, the topsoil becomes rich in organic matter. 



Fig. 36. Dry-farm fla.x lu F(tru.s C'o., il.jntaua. 1!I0!I. 



per acre. 



Yifld, 22 bushels 



which assists in retarding eva[)oration, besides increas- 

 ing the fertility of tlie land. ^^Hien straw cannot be 

 fed to advantage, as is yet the case on many of the 

 western dry-farms, it would he better to scatter it 

 over the land than to burn it, as is often done. Any- 

 thing that covers the ground or loosens the topsoil 

 prevents in a measure the evaporation of the water 

 stored in lower soil depths for the use of crops. 



