American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1910-10-01
FARM IN sEMl-ARID STATES
Lack Of Means and Machinery to Do
Work Properly Often Results In
Dismal Failure.
Thy v. T.. 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 ir.
rigation. II is a 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-
lions.
Dry farming has been carried on in
California for over forty years and
other western states for a great many
years. 1t is a 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 u harrows over our
plowed ground. possibly half as much
as we ought to have done. A great
many people have never considered
how soils will get packed through
wild animals, also domestic stock
roam ing over It for ages. The natural
result cannot fail to make such land
all but impervious to moisture. We
know that II WI open up soil fairly
and snow when 1t melts. We know
hat by cultivation after heavy rains,
when our land Is sufficiently dry for
us to take a team and harrow on 1t.
we will make a surface mulch
(which should not be too fine) which
will help us conserve or hold that
moisture in the soil. When a man
places 81 1000 in a bank and draws $500
out, he knows that he has $500 left.
So It Is with the dry farmer-if he
prepares his land as he should. he
can store up moisture and II ne crops
It 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 1t Is all but impos.
sible for them to do their work as II
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 O 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 nois.
ture and fertility out Of his land which
belong to his crop-learn thai the
best seed he can possibly get or raise
is the cheapest and safest to sow-
that small quantities Of seed to SOW,
rather than excessive amounts is abso.
lutely necessary to his success. That
a press wheel drill should be used to
SOW w~ith-saving seed and putting It
where 1t belongs into the soil at the
proper depth.
One other matter | would suggest
I o those who are starting to farm
new land In the arid and semi-arid
states Is as SCOT 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 rotation
work. SOY a crop Of either fall rye or
some leguminous crop and pillow them
under. recollecting that after plow!rg
W. must thoroughly pack the soil to
aid in the decomposition OF what we
have plowed under.