CHAPTER XII 



CROPS FOR DRY- FARMING 



The work of the dry-fanner is only half done when 

 the soil has been proj^erly prepared, b}' deep plowing, 

 cultivation, and fallowing, for the planting of the crop. 

 The choice of the crop, its proper seeding, and its 

 correct care and harvesting are as important as ra- 

 tional soil treatment in the successful pursuit of 

 dr}'-farming. It is true that in general the kinds 

 of crops ordinarih^ cultivated in humid regions are 

 grown also on arid lands, l)ut varieties esisecially 

 atlapted to the prevailing dry-farm conchtions must 

 be used if any certainty of harvest is desired. Plants 

 possess a marvelous power of adaptation to environ- 

 ment, and this power becomes stronger as successive 

 generations of plants arc grown under the given con- 

 ditions. Thus, plants which have been grown for 

 long periods of time in countries of abimdant rainfall 

 and characteristic humid climate and soil yield well 

 under such conditions, but usually suffer and die or 

 at best yield scantily if jilanted in hot rainless coun- 

 tries with deep soils. Yet, such ]ilants, if grown year 

 after year under arid conditions, become accustomed 

 to warmth and drA'uess and in time will yield perhaps 

 nearly as well or it may be better in their new sur- 

 roundings. The dry-farmer who looks for large 



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