The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-01-28
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
Storing Moisture.


In some sections provision is made against
drouth by storing water in the wet season
for use during dry periods, and the Agri-
cultural Department. and the Experiments
Stations are giving the matter considerable
attention. When water is plentiful much
-of il flows away to the sea, from which il
cannot be recovered unless from rains which
may not occur at times when moisture is es-
sential. Reservoirs and windmiils have
given excellent satisfaction in the West, and
engines and hydraulic rams are used wher-
ever it can be done to advantage.
The cost of applying an irrigsting system
may be great on some farms and very small
on others, according to the location and con-
formation of the farm bat the cost, If it can
be borne, il but q small matter compared
with the great increase in the yields of
crops, or even IN preventing loss as q pro-
longed drouth may shorten o crop as much
as % per cent One acre that is under con-
troll, so far as pertains to moisture, is of more
value than four acres that derive moisture
only as it happens TO come from rains, and
when the irrigation methods are fully UNDER
stood and used the productive capacity Of
the farms will be increased from twofoid to
tenioid, as the control of moisture permits Of
greater variety Of crops, more liberal use
of fertilizers, and less loss of time in euitiva-
ton.
The rainfall of this country is ample for
all purposes, but the OVERLOOKING rivers tes-
tify TO the great loss of much that may be
saved, and which would not only protecs
against drouths, but also against floods if
properly stored.
The New York Station bulletin reports
that the annual average rainfall in that
State for the past II years has been 4.31
inches, which means that the amount is
nearly sufficient to cover the entire State TO
the depth of three feet. Nearly one-half of
this supply passes Off as surface drainage,
carrying away large portion of the plant
food from the soil.
The average rainfall of Kansas is only 20
inches. but the loss by surface drainage is
only about two inches, leaving IS inches for
use, this advantage of retention being due
to the surface of the State not being as I'M
even as that of New York; but the supply
in Kansas is being saved by irrigation, and
in a few more years the State will be par
TALLY secure from drouth. Every year there
are Improvements made in the distribution
of moisture, and gradually the storage sys-
tenn is being extended eastward. On many
farms of the East reservoirs cannot be used,
but there are farms, however, upon which
the reservoir system can be easily arranged
and applied.
One method which may be used on all
farms is deep blowing, through pulverizing
of the soil and drainage. II the soil is titled
and the water drawn off from below, the
land can be better plowed and made ine.
This enables the soil to have greater capac-
ity of absorption, and there is less loss by
surface flowing. The water in the soil is
drawn up by capillary attraction. If the
surface becomes dry the moisture from be-
low will rise to the dry surface, and thus
come within the reach of plants. 1t is
claimed that during periods of drouth the
capillary action of the soil may be sufficient
to raise the water from below through q
distance OF five or six feet, thus having a
supply right under the plants provided the
soil is in the right condition. But what is
this right condition? Deep blowing and
thorough undertakings. 1t means more,
however, than deep soil, for the soil must
be very fine if there are to be capillary tubes.
Clods and Jumps will not permit of securing
the desired object. The soil must therefore
not only be deeply plowed, but also worked
over until it is as fine as possible, which also
permits of q portion of the moisture being
saved from evaporation by keeping the sur
face loose 10 the depth of an inch or two,
thus breaking (sealing) the upper ends of
the capillary tubes, as well az destroying
weeds at the same time