THE DRY FARMING CONGRESS. 



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areas and it probably stands at the head of all crops for this purpose 

 when everything is considered, — adaptibility to dry farming conditions, 

 cost of production, profits, etc. There are certain classes of wheats that 

 do best under drouthy conditions. The durum or macaroni wheats seem 

 to do exceedingly well when compared with other classes, yet there are 

 varieties among other classes which also do well on dry farms. Spelt, 

 oats, rye and barley are all used on occasion. Barley is probably the poor- 

 est crop mentioned because it is comparatively a shallow rooted crop 

 and for this reason, likely to prove less valuable than a crop which for- 

 ages more deeply for its food.. 



Sorghums. 

 Cane Crops. 



Both saccharine and non-saccharine sorghums are grown. Fodder 

 cane, kiffir corn, Jerusalem corn and doura belong in this class. They 

 should be sown for hay with a hoe drill or planted with a corn planter 

 and cultivated. The sorghums may also be double rowed, i. e., planted 

 in groups of two rows about eight inches apart and cultivated. 



Millets. 



Among the millets are found some of the most paying dry farm 

 crops. Some of them grow and mature with a remarkably small amount 

 of moisture present in the soil and at the same time the period of 

 growth is very short. 



Legumes. 



There are a few legumes that have shown value as dry farm crops. 

 Peas, beans and alfalfa are the most promising although in order to 

 secure a stand of alfalfa it will very probably require summer fallowing 

 one year in order to accumulate sufficient moisture to insure perfect 

 germination. After a stand is secured alfalfa has given good results in 

 some sections. The alfalfa should be sown with the hoe drill and rather 

 deeply for small seed. 



Vegetables. 



Garden vegetables form an important group. They add so greatly 

 to a bounteous table supply. Many vegetables grow to the proper stage, 

 for consumption in a few weeks, and therefore, are surer than almost any 

 other class of crops. If markets are available they may be made a source 

 of considerable revenue. 



Trees. 



Both fruit and shade trees are grown in districts where dry farm- 

 ing is practiced. The home surroundings may be made more comfortable 

 and greatly improved in appearance by the free use of shrubs and trees. 

 The same care, however, must be exercised in the selection of the kinds 

 to plant and in their care as is used with field crops. The first two or 

 three years, until they become deeply rooted, is the most critical period 



