APPENDIX II. 



DEY-F ARMING IN WYOMING. 



By Dr. V. T. Cooke, State Director of Dry-farming Experiments- 



in Wyoming. 



The dry-farming system recommended for Wyoming is that which has 

 been practised in the arid portions of the West Coast States for more 

 than a generation, with such modifications as are adapted to our different 

 conditions of soil, climate, and rainfall.* It consists in holding two 

 years* moisture for one big crop. There are quite a number who mis- 

 understand when we speak of getting a crop every other year. It is 

 true we only get a crop off the same land every other year, or under 

 favourable conditions, say two years out of three, but we must recollect 

 that we get crops by this method when the seasons are dryer than usual 

 and that we get one big crop with one ploughing, one seeding, several 

 cultivations, practically two years' moisture, and one harvesting. The- 

 farmer simply divides his land into two portions, on one-half raising 

 crops, the other half being summer fallowed. By this method, which is 

 easily understood and carried out, the farmer has a long season instead 

 of a short one, and drives his work instead of being driven by it. 



i 



Ploughing. 



The ploughing must be deep. The plan recommended in this State- 

 is to plough old ground eight or nine inches deep. It is always better 

 to plough in the fall (autumn), where possible, in order that the ground 

 may absorb the winter's moisture, the sod become decomposed, and the- 

 soil sufficiently compacted, so that a good seed bed can be formed for 

 spring planting. 



Harrowing. 



All spring and summer ploughing should be thoroughly harrowed 

 the same day it is ploughed. It takes just as much time to harrow the 

 ploughed ground to-day as it does to-morrow or next day, other things 

 being equal, but it makes much difference in the. conservation of the 

 moisture when harrowing is done. If possible harrow (and drill as well) 

 diagonally or at right angles to the way in which the prevailing winds 

 blow. The object in doing this is to prevent the land from drifting or 

 blowing ; to hold the snow which falls on the ploughed ground or winter 

 grain, and to prevent the particles of soil or snow from injuring the young 

 grain in the drill furrows by being carried along these furrows b& the 

 wind. Others have strongly recommended that those who are summer 

 fallowing their ground should get on to- it with the drag harrow 

 immediately after any rain or snow. This is not always necessar}^ but 

 what we must do is to get on to the ground as soon as it is dry enough 

 after every heavy rain or big snow. This harrowing must not be deferred' 

 too long, because if we wait the surface of our soil will become very dry 

 and is more liable to drift when we cultivate. The farmer must use his 

 judgment, and get on to the ground as early as conditions are favourable 

 to doing good work. 



* The average rainfall of Wyoming for a period of thirty-four years is 13-58 inches per 

 annum, most of which conies during the summer season. 



