FARM MANAGEMENT ON IRRIGATED FARMS 
43 
The importance of corn production is closely associated with the 
importance of livestock, because practically all of the corn raised is 
fed on the farm. The very good yields reported on most farms not 
infested with wireworms, gives this crop an important place in the 
crop organization of the general farms in the Yakima Valley. (See 
fig. 17.) 
I 
1 
MAN LABOR 
!■ ■■■ HI 
B 
1 ■ 1 1 1 J 1 
l 1 
HORSE WORK 
H 
■ 
■ 
■ 
1 ! m mm 
■ ' 
MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. 
Fig. 17.— Distribution of labor for principal field operations on 1 acre of corn by half-month periods > 
conditions 
Yield: 60 bushels per acre. 
Equipment used: 14-inch 2-way plow and 3 horses; 8-foot spike-tooth harrow and 2 horses; planter and 
2 horses; cultivator and 2 horses; ditcher and 2 horses. 
Material requirements per acre: Seed, 10 pounds. 
Corn usually follows potatoes or alfalfa or may be planted for two 
successive years. Plowing in the fall is desirable for corn, saving 
time in working the land preparatory to planting in the spring; and, 
where the crop follows alfalfa, the crowns or roots have a chance to 
dry out. 
Yellow dent corn is prefered by most farmers for conditions in this 
area. Planting is usually done between May 1 and June 1. 
Thorough cultivation of the corn after it comes up and an under- 
standing of the moisture needs of the plant are essential to the best 
results. _ Large quantities of water cause the corn to have relatively 
less grain, cobs, and leaves and more husks and stalks. It also delays 
maturity. From two to four irrigations are usually necessary on 
most of these farms, the last one coming when the corn is beginning 
to harden. 
About a month or more, usually from October 15 to November 15, 
is allowed for harvesting, permitting the work to be so adjusted 
that it will not seriously interfere with work needed on other crops. 
1 The data from which this chart was made, as well as other information on the principal field ODera- 
tions for corn, appear in the following table: 
Item 
"3 
- 
- 
o 
u 
u 
w 
S 
© 
u 
u 
1— 1 
-— > 
| 
- 
> 
[rrigate 
- r 
.2 ** 
3*3 
- 99 
Times over 
Rate per day 
Man labor per 
acre 
Horse labor per 
acre 
Dates performed . 
Xumber.. 
2 
15 
1.4 
2.8 
rilH 
2 
15 
1.4 
i 
M a y 16 
to 31 
4 "* 
■ 
Acres 
2 
5 
15 
Ap 
7 
1.4 
2.8 
to^ 
l.~5~ 
0... 
7 
1.4 
2.S 
May 1 to. 
15 
6 
6.4 
June 1 to. 
Aug. 15 
"~i'h 
8 
10 
Xov. 1 to 
15 
Hour 
Hour 
Usual half- 
mo n t h 
period 
4.8 
Every 4 
weeks 
June Ki 
to Aug. 
16 
