The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1909-12-23
Millionaire
Maker.
Continued from Page l

rlSdLlOH from -DelOW TO produce the
maximum amount of seed, without
any surface irrigation whatever. One
farm noted with good deep medium
sandy soil is underlaid with water
at an average depth of IL feet. This
farm produces over hundred dol
lars worth of seed per acre each year
and has not been irrigated for three
years. Some soils are deeper and
more retentive of moisture than 9th
ers and needs less irrigation. So no
hard and fast rule can be laid down
as to the number of irrigation per
year or as to the total amount of
water to be applied, for seed produc-
ton.
1t should be kept growing as some
say Gust above the burning point"
or in other words, enough moisture
should be applied to keep it growing
steadily, maintain healthy appear
ance and not fire. But not enough
to allow it to grow luxuriantly, for
if you do the strength will go to hay
production rather than to the seed
pods. Generally speaking a heavy
irrigation should never be applied
In order to maintain the soil at the
proper condition itmight not be nee
essary to irrigate at all on sub-irri-
gated ground while on the other
hand some soils might require one,
some two, and some in exceptional
cases might require three irrigations
during the season. One must study
his own individual soil conditions and
irrigate according to the needs of
the plant
In the lower attitudes of our state, I
either the first or the second cutting
may be saved for seed as there does
not seem to be any particular diff
ference between the amounts of seed /
each will produce. There is gener-
ally more hay produced, however, |
when the first crop is cut for hay
and the second is left for seed. The
usual practice where the second crop
is saved for seed, is to irrigate the
first crop once, medium early, and
let the seed crop come on without
any irrigation whatever. With soils
Of average depth this method has us
ually been successful. In the section
Twin Falls and Good
ing the seasons are somewhat short
er than farther on down the Snake
ind as it takes about twice as long to
produce a seed crop as it does one of
nay, it is advised that the first crop
be the one saved for seed.
If for any reason it is desired to
save the second crop, it is recon-
nended that the first crop be cut
rery early so that the seed crop will
,e fully matured before frost.
In order to produce seed, each al
alta blossom must be fortified by
he pollen from the same or adjoin-
ng blossoms. Experiments have
proven that this is greatly assisted
" external influences. Winds, birds,
ees and insects all assist in this pol
enation and fertilization of the flow /
RS. Bees are said to assist this pol c
enation very materially and cause an I
Increase in the yield of seed. But the b
ield of seed is not wholly dependent 1
pom them for good yields of seed t
re sometimes secured with almost Il
otal absence of bees from the field. c
or this reason many growers do S
OF have any faith in the theory b
However, there is yet much to be p
earned regarding the pollenation of lt
Italia blossoms but as external fore g
S are known to assist it is believed is
nat a large number of honey bees 81
-orl1ing in the field will materially n
lcrease the yield. t
The seed crop should be cut as Il
oon as most of the seed pods have o
lrned brown. This Is best and most IL
done with one of the ii
Id fashioned reapers, though some g
Sc mower with a dropper or swath 1
attachment. some even use the q
binary mower and rake and cock st
lie same as for hay. But this is II
ost wasteful method, for seed at as
lis stage skaters very easily and
UGH is wasted needlessly. The reap re
deposits the hay in small gavels Il
one side SO the team will not walk 81
rer it as the succeeding swath is cut +
ully as much can be cut with pl
over, and as the saving of seed m
considerable, the use of the reaper a
ould be placed one on top of the pa
her by hand and left to dry for pc
me time, The length of time ne ar
ssary for proper drying before in
acking will depend upon the wealth he