The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1908-08-01

talniall rs Ecntfally Stnall ana more
or less spasmodic and uncertain
both as to quantity and Thickness.
This region in the United States
lies west OF the Doth TO tooth de-
gree OF longitude, or n line drawn
through the western portions OF
the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas,
Oklahoma and Texas. The line is
irregular and not very well defined.
Not all OF the country west OF
this line is arid or scmi.aTid, tor
there are places where the rainfall
averages well and is reasonably
sure. II is also true that IN some
places where the rainfall rs slight
there are conditions which make
the country seem to be less arid.
The corresponding scmi-arid re-.
gions in Canada and Mexico are
north and south OF this western
American region OF dryncss.
Irrigation a hc carried on IN
the scmi.arid region to advantage
wherever the water n I've secured
without too much expense and
where other climatic conditions are
favorable. The amount OF land
which can I've irrigated is small as
compared with the amount which
can never he irrigated. The lrri.
gated land must ever he along the
streams or where wells can I've Sc
cured. Outside OF this region
there are many acres which must
either lie idle or he cultivated in
some way to secure good results
without the addition OF surface wa.
ter by artificial means.
There are true arid spots in this
region where irrigation is the only
hope, hut generally this a be-
accomplished by application OF true
soil culture principles, IN regions
where the annual rainfall is say 40
to "a inches good crops every year
and IN favorable years especially
fine crops; IN regions where the
rainfall Is as low rs 10 inches, for
example, crops can bc assured two
out OF three wears or three out OF
tour or tour out OF five, the miss
ing ear being devoted to prepara.
ton tor the other years; and IN re-.
gIons OF 10 inches OF rainfall or less
crops every other year but OF the
very best quality. Az this taken
INTO account the extreme unccr-
talnty OF rains aud spasmodic con.
dition~ which must be met.
Conditions vary greatly IN the
semi.arid region. Not only is
there great difference in the amount
OF the rainfall, but there is differ
cncc in the time OF the rainfall as
relates to winter and summer rains
or otherwise, and differences as to
the prevailing direction ui summer
and winter winds and their humi.
dlty. Contrary to general belle,
1t is possible tor n very dry atmoS
phcrC TO hc OF great value to a
growing crop. \ dry atmosphere
drive" over n field will have the
,,tect Ut immediately driving out
the surface, and 1t the texture OF
the soil has been lett so that this
drying out process breaks the cap.
Hilary continuity OF the soil, or in
other words II there is n soil muclh
At the surface, then the soil is pro-
tcctcd rs to It's moisture. On the
other hand It is possible that n
humid atmosphere maintained
where the rainfall has been slight,
especially in the growing season,
will have the effect oil maintaining
the capillary connection between
the subsoil and the extreme sur.
face, thus promoting evaporation,
much to the injury OF the growing
crops. These are ma,,ris which
must be considered in connection
with the character OF the scmi.arld
region.
\ great deal OF farming has been
done in the seml.arid region.
Sometimes this farming is highly
profitable and sometimes It is done
at n loss. The danger OF total loss
from drou'h is ever present.
In order that farming may be
done with success in the seml-arid
region there must be some work
done differently from that which
is common elsewhere and under
other conditions. This is actually
done by nearly ali the farmers OF
the seml-arid region. But there
has not been, as yet, any reduction
OF this farming method 10 an exact
science. But here is in tact the
great field Tor the development OF
American agriculture. Here it is
that there lie dormant the vastest
possibilities tor the American Tar.
mers.
II is to this region that this Jour.
nal addresses itself and dedicates
its work although il is true that
all the fundamental principles
which underlie the Campbell sys.
TEN OF scientific soil culture may be
applied with great benefit in the
more humid sections where rainfall
is greater and to this preparation
OF the soils under irritation.