Bisbee daily review., 1910-10-14
CROP SUCCESS FAR
 BETTER THAN EXPECTED

Professor F. J. Away investigating dry farming conditions for the E. F. & s. w. lines. and Director R. H. Forbes of the Arizona Experiment station. spent Tuesday at the ex- perimental dry farm near McNeil station, where Ed Bower Ia now har- vesting the seasons crops.
 They found an unexpected degree of success, notwithstanding the very scanty rainfall of the past year. Such rain as had fallen, however, was carefully conserved by cultivating thoroughly after each storm, thus maintaining surface mulch and pre- venting as far as possible loss os moisture by evaporation. Upon the ground thus prepared the best crops | of corn, beans, milo, maize. broom and sorghum were planted, opening the seed furrows deep down % moist soil and covering the seed | with from to inches of loose soil. This planted on the moisture saved | III the Soai TUT tuc pufPoscc lHc oScu germinated, pushed up through the loose soil and when the September rains came were, in the more fa- vored plots, ready to grow rapidly to
 maturity. In some cases 1t was necessary to replant, where soil mois- Lure was not sufficient to maintain the plants until the July rains.
 Far the best success was attained Ion about three acres of ground, to
 which about four inches deep of wa Iter had been applied by means of a
 small windmill near at hand. Since
 last December this windmill has been kept busy, the water from 1t being led across the field in furrows which were cultivated level again after ir- lrigating.
 In this way valuable store of
 water was accumulated in this field great deal more than from rainfall lsnly. The crops in this field therefore gave a uniform stand of excellent corn, beans, Kaffir corn and sorghum due to the small additional amount of water added for weeks and months
 before in preparation.
 . The experience of the past two years at McNeil has clearly indicated that the rainfall alone, even witf careful dry farming. does not givs certain or most satisfactory crops lTo make the results sure the farmer , water to bring up his seed and tt Iuse at critical times in securing hii , crops. Three or four inches of watel . Ia year thus used is a most econom
 ciai investment.
 Corn-Seyeral varieties, was growI
 with good success. The yield has no Iyet been obtained but looks as goo( las 20 bushels per acre on the best lplots. Kafir corn made good croI
 both of fodder and seed; and mix
 maize made satisfactory crop ol
 grain. especially good for poultry
 The most interesting crop on the lplace, however. was beans. Seyera Varieties were grown-the common lfrijole and three or four kinds o
 native beans obtained from the Pa lpago Indians of Southern Arizona IThese Papago beans have made ar
 astonishing showing. both on the
 dry farmed plots and on those tt
 (which water from the windmill was
 applied The yield was as high al I2000 pounds per acre--a crop whicf
 at present prices is certainly valn able one.
 These native beans are distin
 guished by their rapid growth, theil Unusual gift of setting their crop il
 hot dry weather, and their heavy lyield of small, delicately favored Iquick cooking bean. They also, be ling members of the legume family
 enrich the soil they grow in.
 Thus far the lessons learned a lthe Sulphur Springs valley dry farm are CD that dry farming methods lalone do not give sure or sstistac , itory crops, because of the latenes
 and uncertainty of our summer rains
 t2) The best crops thus far founs are Indian corn, Kafir corn, sorghum , land, especially, native beans. Win lter crops of wheat have been plan.s' land are now growing. but cannot b Judged for several months to come.