GROWING FIELD CROPS IN SUGAR-BEET DISTRICTS. 
33 
Cantaloupes are first irrigated when planted, usually in late April 
or early May. (Fig. 24.) The other irrigations are applied from 12 
to 20 days apart until about August 15, when irrigation ceases. 
Fig. 26.— Cutting wheat. 
To irrigate an acre of the crop at Rocky Ford required for canta- 
loupes an average of 1.6 hours; cucumbers, 1.8 hours; beans, 2.7 
hours; beets, 2 hours; alfalfa, 1.5 hours; wheat, 2.2 hours; and oats," 
2.7 hours. 
HARVESTING. 
In the vicinity of Greeley the labor requirement for the harvest- 
ing of grains is less than in the other districts because of the system 
Fig. 27.— Thrashing gram. 
used in thrashing. However, the cash expense of thrashing at 
Greeley is greater than at Fort Morgan or at Rocky Ford. At 
Greeley none of the grain is stacked by the farmer, but is thrashed 
