Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-10-02

ditch through the laterals on to tn,
field.
Assuming that a new field is beinl
laid out, one begins by laying out the
borders (after leveling his field as
uniformly and as evenly d~istanced
apart as is possible, according TO the
general slope of the field, bringing thc
field between the borders as nearly
level AZ possible and with as little
slope as is possible. These borders
are usually marked of with a pillow
and subsequently constructed with a
~"N"-shaped homemade wooden ma
chine.
70 an alfalfa field 1t is necessary
to use a more practical and up-to-
date border machine in order to con
struct a substantial ana permanent
border. Where there are low places
and building up of the border is nee
essary. IT is well to haul dirt from a
high point, even though the hauling
may be from a long distance. This is
better in the end than to dig or create
a hole or depression near the border
or in the field.
If the borders are properly built,
and the field correctly levcled the
farmer is always assured OF Il good
stand of his crop, ana of a profitable
yield.
In preparing a field for the seeding
of alfalfa, it is Imperative TO have the
field perfectly level between the bord-
ers, because where a field is not en-
tirely level, It is impossible to obtain
a good stand of alfalfa for the reason
that in low places or depressions. the
young alfalfa, when irrigated for the
first time will be drowned out. es-
pecially II the water Is very muddy,
such as is often the case, along the
Rio Grande, as the sediment brought
by the waters covers the young
plant, or during the warm summer
days, by the water standing in these
hollow places, scalds and kills the
young plant.
And again in high places, the water
does not flood and soak i'm sufficiently
TO leave moisture to terminate the
seed. or fails to give the young plant
sufficient vigor 20 resist the encroach-
ments of the native grasses, which is
always prevalent in all irrigated
fields.
This also is applicable TO old alfalfa
fields. where even though a good stand
IS not on a level field. will in time be
partially destroyed, either by drown
ing out. or by the native grass.
For other crops, such as corr and
AAAH RtiAttk evening Is not SO
essential, though a field once perfect
~ levelled will always yield a better
and more profitable crop and cost the
farmer less in irrigation.
The economical use Of water I'M the
Rio Grande valley of Southern New
and Texas is becoming a very
factor I'm present day
\ properly prepared field will
consume Just as much water as is alb
solutclN necessary. and II will be found
after n thorough irrigation, followed
10y surface cultivation. that the moist
are is retained twice as long as in "a
'~arelessly prepared II recklessly ir-
-igatcd held.
Il has been proven times without |
number that too frequent irrigation is !
only Nasteful and expensive. but !
detrimental 10 the soil.
Ii has been demonstrated very /
in late years that the unpro-
farmer who persists In cling
ng 20 obsolete and reckless methods
farming.is not only "a failure. but
$ a danger II not a to the sue
'css OF those around him. Scientific J
nd Intelligent methods OF farming in
III its branches Is the only hope Of the |
uture for u irrigation districts.
In the upper and lower Mesilia val
ey Of New Mexico and Texas scienti-
c and intense farming can be and is |