The San Juan County index. (Aztec, N.M.) 1890-19??, 1902-05-09
Value Of WinterIrriqatiOn.

The value Of winter irrigation is apparent
even at this early date. Fields Of alfalfa IN
irrigated mp to the present time are almost as
brown as in mid winter, while the fields that
were winter irrigated are in fine growing con-
| dition
The difference in the growing Of alfalfa with
winter irrigation and without it, is strikingly
illustrated with plots of alfalfa under expert
ment on the Agricultural Ex xperimsnt Station
Farm. Two plots were selected of as nearly
the same type OF soil as possible. One plot
was winter irrigated while the ottor vas not.
The un-irrigated plot is at this time apparent
" almost lifeless, while the plot receiving
winter irrigation has made fine growth OF
from 70 inches.
The late irosts have injured the growing
alfalfa slightly. but this damage is insigniA.
cant, when tile two plots are compared, One
year ago we had severe late frosts and the
alfalfa receiving winter irrigation was dam
aged considera ly, yet the yield Of hay was
decidedly in the favor Of the plots which re-
oeiyed winter irrigation,
There is, however, another point which
sh onld be carefully considered when weigh-
ing thewiuter irrigation. That Is, the beni1t
derived from re-establishing capillarity with
name gwen to the passage Of moisture up
through the intersttoes Of the soil, which is
nicely illustrated ia the passage Of oil up
through the iniertices of the lampwick
Evaporation carries moisture off from the
surface OF che soil much OIL is buraed oil
from the lamp wick. The loss of moisture
from the surface soil is replaced by the move
ment Of moisture through capillarity from the
soil below and this, in turn, is replenished
from stlll lower layers Of sol until, finally
the draft upon the moisture may reach the
ground water Drouthy spells dry out the
soil to quite depth, sometimes TO several
feet deep, and therefore, tho capillary action
Is broken and viii not reach the surface again
until It is re-estabhshed by making the soil
wet from the surface down to the moisture.
This wetting Of the soil seems to be a sort Of
printing Of natures pumps which she attends
to herself In rainy belts by frequent showers
but leaves to the care of man in All irrigation
sections, The re-eatablishment Of capillarits
can best be done ia winter when evaporation
from the surfieu soil . al a minimum and at
time when water e abundant II the soil is
well charged with water for several feet ia
depth during winter, much of the water will be
available for the crops during tho growing
months Of spring and summer. fhe roots Of
the plants viii push down into the moisture
and capillary attraction will bring the moist
uro towards tho surface, thus rendering Il
available 10 the plants,
In sections whore water IL not plentiful for
irrigation purposes during all seasons Of the
year she question Of the storage and oonsorva-
tion IN the soil Of the foodwaters Of winter is Of
great Importance and the writer believes thal
more attention should be given to H. OF least
until dams, reeervoirs. on other largo storage
aystens can be estaiished for the conservation
OF Ola, waste waters April 22 1902 J J Yer
nun. Now Mexico College of Agriculture