Graham guardian., 1911-12-29
CULTURE OF ALFALFA
Difference in Methods Of Apply.
ing Water to Crop.
Recognized as One Of Most Important
Factors In Arid and seml-Arid
Sections Of West--Acreage
Being Increased.

More and more is alfalfa coming to
be recognized as one of the most I'M
portant of farm crops, especially IN
the arid and semi-arid section OF the
west.
These sections begin with Nebraska
and sweep westward to the Pacific
coast Colorado is probably the lead
ing alfalfa growing state OF the
Union: California comes next; and
not only in these states, but in all 9TH
ers within the boundaries Of the sec
tions named the acreage of alfalfa is
being rapidly increased.
And alfalfa, being a product OF the
arid and semi-arid sections, Its pro-
duction implies the process OF irriga-
ton, and in this connection Prof.
Samuel Fortier, chief OF irrigation In
vestigations of the United States ex-
pertinent station, has just issued an
important bulletin on Irrigation OF
Alfalfa" Professor Fortier groups
the prevailing methods as the border
method. the check method, flooding
from field laterals. furrow irrigation.
etc., and says.
Essentially the border method con-
sists of the division of field or tract
into long. narrow strips or lands by
low. fiat levees which usually extend
in the direction of the steepest slope
and confine the water to single strip.
The bed Of each strip Is carefully
graded to uniform slope. although
the slope may change to conform to
the contour of the natural surface
"The water to irrigate each strip is
taken from the head ditch extending
across the upper edgs Of the field and
Is controlled by an outlet box or bor-
der gate. although the gates are some
times omitted to save in first cost
of preparing for irrigation. Check
gates, canvas dams or metal tappons
are used to hold up the water in the
head ditch to cause 1t to flow into the
borders.
This method is confined chiefly to
the irrigation of alfalfa and grain and
in its various notifications is used ex-
tensively in Arizona. California. and
to less extent in Idaho. Montana
and other Rocky mountain states.
"The essential features of the check
method Of irrigation consist in sur.
rounding nearly level plats of ground
with low levels and in making pro-
vision to floor each by means of q
ditch and check box or gate. The In
closed spaces may be laid out In
straight lines in both directions. thus
forming with their levee borders q
series Of rectangles, or the levees
may follow more or less closely the
contour lines Of the natural surface oi
the ground, thus forming contour
checks. This method Is used on heavy
soils where It is necessary to hold
the water on the soil to secure Its
percolation to the desired depth.
Flooding from field bitches or lat
erals Is still the most common method
/ OF applying water to arid lands o.
western America. In the states o.
Colorado. Montana. Wyoming, Utal
and to large extent in Idaho alfalfa
clover. native meadows and grain arr
irrigated in this way.
! This manner Of wetting dry soil or
iginated. 1t is believed, in the noun
tain states and the last half century
has witnessed gradual evolution o
this plan so that now 1t has not only
become firmly established, but is re
garded as the best suited to the condi
tions under which It Is practiced.
] 1T can profltably be used on slopes
that are too steep for other methods
Fields having firm soil and a fal
of from rs feet to 100 feet have beef
flooded successfully. From this ex
treme the slope may diminish to les
than 0.1 In 100.
Its. cheapness Is another featur
which recommends 1t to the farme
of limited means. Ordinary raw Ian
can be prepared for flooding a
an expense of from So to IS a
acre. Again. It is adapted to the US
| of small water srpplies"