10 BULLETIN 10j Y. S. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE. 
the soil and in spots seemed to diminish it to such an extent that not 
enough remained to produce a vigorous growth in the plants after 
cutting. 
IRRIGATION OF GRAIN, 1910, 1911, AND 1912. 
During these three seasons the east halves of checks 35. 36, and 37. 
containing one-half acre each and 1| acres of unleveled land lying 
north of check 37. were given over to experiments with irrigation of 
barley. 
During 1900 checks 35. 36. and 37 were planted to sugar beets, 
which were irrigated, but the amounts of water added were small, 
and it is safe to assume had no effect upon the crops which followed 
in 1910. The unleveled area north of check 37 had been cropped to 
grain for a number of years previous to beginning the experiments. 
and was typical of much of the so-called " worn-out " land in the 
vicinity of the farm. 
Season of 1910. — During the season of 1910 all plats were plowed 
in the early spring, harrowed, and drilled to barley on March 12. 85 
pounds of seed per acre being used. The following irrigation sched- 
ule was planned and carried out. 
Schedule of irrigation of harlnj. 1910. 
Number of plat. Number of irrigations. Dates. auoUed 
x- ■ • « 
Inches. 
3-5 .. . 
April 27 
f.-do 
IMav 17 
3.6 
36 
37 
- i:ions (shallow furrows) 
. . Two irrigations deep furrows) 
3.6 
2.6 
Plats 36 and 37 were furrowed immediately after seeding. The 
shallow furrows of plat 36 were made by a marker consisting of two 
6 by 6 inch timbers, 2J feet long, set on edge. IS inches apart, and 
fastened parallel to each other by -2 by -1 inch cross strips. This was 
drawn over the surface parallel with the checks, making shallow 
furrows IS inches apart and averaging H inches deep. This method 
is practically the same as flooding, the furrows acting simply as 
guide- for the water. 
It was intended to irrigate plat 37 by subirrigation from deep 
furrows, but the method was not successful, and May 1 the check 
was plowed and seeded to cowpeas. which were turned under as green 
manure in the fall. 
The date- of irrigating plats 35 and 36 depended entirely upon the 
condition of the crop, the water l>eing added when it was thought it 
would produce the best results and in quantities sufficient to give the 
soil a good irrigation. 
