DRY-FARMING CONGRESS, WICHITA, 1914 



169 



and freezings. As soon as the ground is in condition to work after irriga- 

 tion, the furrows should be leveled by use of a cultivator or disc, taking 

 care to leave the surface sufficiently rough to prevent blowing. Best results 

 on subsequent irrigations come from running the water into furrows be- 

 tween the rows, rather than by flooding the rows proper, as there is a 

 strong tendency to scald, and crust formations of soil follow a general 

 flowing of the entire surface. And it should be remembered that best 

 results are secured in connection with irrigation where water is applied 

 late in the afternoon or early in the evening, rather than in the forenoon, 

 or at any time earlier in the day. 



Subsurface Irrigation. — The ideal method of applying water to gardens, 

 especially those of the dry-land districts, is by the subsurface plan or sys- 

 tem. By this method, the water is conducted to a depth of from twelve 

 to fourteen inches below the surface through some form of clay, cement or 

 wooden boxes, provided with open joints or open on the underside so that 

 the water may be readily released. These conduits, tiles or boxes should be 

 placed connectedly and range parallel to each other not more than six feet 

 apart, for average soils, and I am convinced that even a distance so short 

 as five feet between these lines of water-distributors, would be better. 

 These lines should be placed almost on a level, with not over one-half inch 

 fall to the rod; the tile or box need not be more than two to four inches, 

 inside diameter. The expense of a sub-irrigation system is almost pro- 

 hibitive, in first cost. The advantages of the system are seen in a saving 

 of fully fifty percentage of the water required, as compared with surface 

 irrigation. Very little labor is required in distributing water by the sub- 

 surface method, and no soil crusts are created. Less work is required to 

 keep the garden in perfect condition, and the water may be applied at any 

 time of day. 



Cultivation. — Under irrigated conditions, cultivation is fully ao neces- 

 sary as under dry-land conditions. Too much dependence should not be 

 placed on the irrigation, as too much irrigation and too little irritation do 

 not bring desired results. The soil should be thoroughly stirred, following 

 each surface irrigation. To break crusts as often as they form, means not 

 only a saving of moisture, but also makes plant food available, and 'de- 

 stroys weeds in their germinating stage. 



CHAIRMAN WALKER: 



We had hoped to have with us the Director of the Arizona Experi- 

 ment Station, R. H. Forbes — but his place will be well filled by Andrew 

 Kimball, Chairman of the Commission of Agriculture and Horticulture of 

 Arizona. 



Address of Mr. Kimball 

 SCIENCE OF IRRIGATION MADE GOOD 



The general impression of the tourist crossing Arizona enroute to the 

 coast is that Arizona is indeed the "Arid Zone," and nothing but a desert; 

 but truly the meaning of "Arizona" is "Living Water." 



