El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-11-05

a doing up the minimum amounts
N of water assumed as necessary
for irrigating the different crops
raised in this region. and taking the
average we find that 21.6 acre-inches
Of water is sufficient. Consequently,
If we are allowed q acre-inches of
water per acre each year, for the up
per and lower valleys as a whole, 1t
should give every farmer an ample
supply. 1t is probable as well, that
with the land better Ieveled than is
now the practice, with better laterais,
and more cultivation. the duty Of water
will be materially increased.
The New Mexico station determined
that the largest yield of wheat was
obtained when a depth of "A inches of
water was applied to wheat and 80
inches to alfalfa. five cuttings being
secured during the season, also that
water in more frequent and smaller
irrigations gave slightly the larger
yield of hay.
Averaging Crops Grown.
Averaging the results obtained from
crops grown with well water during
the season Of 1904, the following re-
suits we're secured:
Depth of water applied: Alfalfa,
36.4; wheat. 266; corn, 25.2, and sweet
potatoes. 1--6 inches.
Cost of pumping per acre: Alfalfa,
$1,000; wheat. $3.50; corn. 1922. and
sweet potatoes, s491. The equipment
for pumping consists of a 80 H. P.
steam engine and a 6-inch centrifugal
pump.
Cost Of applying the water per acre:
Alfalfa, s1.23; corn, IS cents, and sweet
potatoes, 81 cents.
The yield per acre: Alfalfa. 2.33
tons; corn. 91.9 bushels, and sweet po-
tatoes. 10000 pounds.
The value OF the crop per acre: AL
falfa, $500; wheat, $500; corn Cn-
Guiding the stover), $36.27, and sweet
potatoes, $40.
In an experiment at Tulare, Cali
fornia, the maximum amount OF water
applied to wheat was "a inches and
the yield increased with the quantity
Of water; in another experiment, in
which the maximum was % inches
the maximum yield was secured with
is inches, the decrease from this max
imum due to the use of 81 inches being
so percent It is assumed, therefore.
that Is to "a inches is the best amount
of water TO apply to wheat under the
existing conditions
Yields OF Barley.
With barley at Tuiare. the maximum
yield was secured from the use of IS
inches. the minimum from the use Of
81 inches Consequently, barley and
wheat require about the same amounts
Of water, or Is to "a inches for the
best results.
At California, the following was
found to be true OF shallow and deep
irrigation.
Shallow Irrigation Advantages.
ID The top layer Of soil is better
aerafed and more granular.
cd. It contains, as rule, the iarg-
est amount of available plant food.
CD. 1t costs less for furrowing and
cultivation.
ca. Artificial fertilizers are more
easily applied to the top soil.
Disadvantages.
ID Shallow irrigation wastes wa
zteT by excessive evaporation.
Cd It lures the hbrous roots near
the surface to wilt, or kills them BY
subsequent drouth.
(s). It tends TO form an irrigation
hardpan or pillow sole.
"a. It restricts the feeding ground
of the roots of trees.
90. It calls for more frequent ap-
plications- of water
co. Frequent irrigations bake or
harden the surface and necessitate Gull
tivation.
Deep Irrigation Advantages.
I'D It conserves the moisture by
checking evaporation.
CD. It distributes the water
throughout the subsoiI
13-) By moistening the subsoil 1t
tends to the deep roofing of trees.
(4) Deep rooted trees have a larger
supply Of plant food within reach.
CD. Deep rooted trees are not so
injuriously affected by drouths
(6). Deep rooted trees require less
artificial fertilizers.
%. Deep irrigation requires less
frequent application.
(S). Deep cultivation and irrigation
viii break up the pillow sole.
Disadvantages.
ID. The extra cost of furrowing and
cultivation.
20 Deep irrigation requires a cor
respondingly deep placing Of fertilizer
CD. Deep furrowing may injure
shallow rooted trees.
Assuming that "a inches of irriga-
ton water is applied TO lands in the
Rio Grande valley annually then each
acre would receive 5, AIS, 900 pounds of
water. Taking the average compost
ton of the river water and the aver
age Of the amount of sediment carried
during the year from June TO Novem-
Der. S9.7 pounds of potassium sulphate
would be added from the water itself,
and 81, 309 pounds of sediment which
quarter Of an inch in thickness. The