The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-11-22
FARM IN SEMI-ARID STATES
Lack Of Means and Machinery 70 Do
Work Properly Often Results In
Dismal Failure.

Lack Of Msans and Machinery TO Do
Work Properly Often Results In
Dismal Failure.
(By " +. COOKE. Director Of Dry Farm
Experiments. Cheyenne, Wyo.)
DRY Farming" Is a name given to
designate the difference between farm
ing in the arid and semi-arid states
by natural precipitation and the arti-
ficial application Of water known as IT.
rigation. 1t Is q scientific system pro-
viding methods of conserving moisture
to be used when plants require the
same. The system is not complex-is
In fact simple to those who are willing
to learn-but the rules laid down for
the guidince Of those undertaking to
raise crops when the precipitation is
not too plenty. must be followed, the
work done properly and intelligence
used, because no hard and fast rule
can be made to apply to all condi-
tons
Dry farming has been carried on in
California for over forty years and
other western states for great many
years. 1t is long way from being a
new proposition in the states west Of
the Rockies. One of the most impor-
tant things In connection with 1t, is to
understand why we do certain kinds of
work-why we are taking big chances
of getting a crop when we scratch
our soil three or four inches deep
call 1t blowing and then In a half
hearted way run our harrows over our
plowed ground. possibly half as much
as we ought to have done. A great
many people have never considered
wild animals, also domestic stock
roaming over 1t for ages. The natural
result cannot fail to make such land
all but impervious to moisture. We
know that II we open up soil fairly
deep such soil will absorb rain
and snow when 1t melts. We know
that by cultivation after heavy rains.
when our land Is sufficiently dry for
us to take a team and harrow on it,
we will make surface mulch
(Which should not be too flne) which
will help us conserve or hold that
moisture In the soil. When man
places $1,000 in bank and draws $500
out, he knows that he has $500 left.
So 1t is with the dry farmer-if he
prepares his land as he should, he
can store up moisture and II he crops
1t and his crop takes only part Of the
moisture conserved. he still has some
for the next crop-provided he takes
the proper methods Of holding such
moisture In the soil. Too many new
settlers do not have enough means
to work with: lack of teams and the
necessary machinery, handicap them
SO seriously that It Is all but impos.
sible for them to do their, work as 1t
should be done. result Is too often
meager crops II not failure. Farming
Is a science and requires for success,
the best a man has in him; hit or miss
propositions must from now on give
way to improved methods. The dry
farmer must study his soils and condi.
TONS He must learn to pillow deeply
thereby making his soil capable Of re-
ceiving and holding moisture. and
must cultivate at the right time. Learn
that weeds rob him by taking mois-
ture and fertility out Of his land which
belong to his crop-learn that the
best seed he can possibly get or raise
is the cheapest and safest to BOW
that small quantities of seed to SOW.
rather than excessive amounts Is abso-
lutely necessary to his success. That
q press wheel drill should be used to
SOW withdrawing seed and putting It
where 1t belongs into the soil at the
proper depth.
One other matter l would suggest
to those who are starting to farm
new land in the arid and semi-arid
states Is as soon as they can afford 1t.
that most of these soils are deficient
in vegetable matter, or what is called
humus and that I believe 1t will pay
big to put some in our soils now.
thoroughly recommend rotation OF
crops and we ought to in orr rotation
work. SOW a crop Of either fall rye or
some leguminous crop and plow them
under recollecting that after blowing
We must thoroughly pack the soil to
aid In the decomposition of what we
have plowed under.