El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-10-01

There are many methods of irrigation
in vogue in this western country. In
New Mexico, however, we follow more
universally the method of complete
flooding by borders and checks, espe-
ciaIly where we find the non porous
kind of soil, such as we have in the
Rio Grande valley
There is also a method of irrigating
by flooding where lighter and more
porous soil is found. This method,
however, is carried out by a system OF
laterals, and bitches without borders
being used. This latter soil is OF a
more susceptible character, absorbing
the water more readily, and therefore,
the irrigation is done more rapidly and
without the need of checks or borders.
There is yet a third method of irri-
cation, which is done by burrows,
which are drawn from the laterals and
so arranged through the field and at
such distances apart that the water.
which is carried down through these
burrows, soaks through and is called by
some people, subirrigation, and is more
universally used where clear water is
found.
SubirrigatiOn.
Under the head of subirrigation may
also be mentioned the method used by
irrigating by submerged pipes or tiles,
or by the use Of the subsoil plow. With
this system. however, 1 am not IA
miliar
In some of the southern states, I be-
lieye mainly in Georgia, where celery
is extensively grown, a system of over
head irrigation is used, By means Of
perforated pipes which are laid about
eight OF nine feet overhead across the
field, and about five or six feet apart.
These perforated pipes laid overhead
across the field all ernanate from a
large or main pipe, when lakes the
place of a lateral ditch, and, when ir-
rigation is required, the water is turn
ed into the main pipe with sufficient
force or flow to evenly distribute it
through the smaller and perforat I'd
pipes, giving a sort OF rainlike result
or sprinkling of the water over the
fields.
But the method OF system with which
we, Of southern New Mexico. are most
familiar is the method of flooding by
the use of borders ami checks.
The first and most important essen
tial which the farmer must observe IS
the proper preparing Of his fieid, such
as the laying out and construction Of
his laterals and borders.
All progressive farmers now make
use of an engineering level, which i'm
or SIC. By using the level, the farmer
is enabled to ascertain the general
slope of his land and to discover where
the highest points are.
Laying Out Larerals.
The lateral bitches are laid out on
the highest parts on the field, observ-
ing always that sufficient fall is posi-
BILE to carry the water from the main
ditch through the laterals onto the
field
Assuming that a new field is being
laid out, one begins by laying out the
borders latter leveling nis field as
uniformly and as evenly distanced
apart as is possible, according t. ;he
general slope of the fell, bringing the
field between the borders as nearly
level as possible and with as little slope
as possible. These borders are usually
marked off with a plow, and subse-
quently constructed with a W shaped
home made wooden machine.
For an alfalfa field it is necessary
to use a more practical and uptodate
border machine in order to construct
a substantial and permanent border.
Where there are low places and build
ing UP of the border is necessary, it is
well to haul dirt from q high point,
even though the hauling may be from
q long distance. This is better in the
e1e1 than to dig or create hole or
depression near the border or in the
field.
If the Aorders are properly built and
the field Correctly leveIed, the farmer
Is always assured of a good stand of
his crop, and of a profitable yield.
Seeding Alfalfa.
In preparing a field for the seeding
of alfalfa it is imperative to have the
field perfectly level between the Dor
ders. because where a field is not en-
tirely level, it is imDossible to obtain
a good stand Of alfalfa for he reason
that in low places or depfessions, the