The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1911-09-23
NEED OF DUST AULCH
Many Crops in Time Of Drought
Saved by Method.
Blanket Of Finely PulVerIzed Soil OF
the Surface VIII Conserve Mols-
turs Almost Entirely for
Crop Use.

COnuitlOhs tndL are imperative 10
insure the production of a farm crop
of any kind that may be grown, he
thinks OF the fertile soil as the most
important Of all. And 1t is, Of course,
absolutely necessary that a soil with
abundant plant fooS 1e planted on
to get a crop.
But the soil. or rather the plant
food. although absolutely necessary.
1t Is not q bit more SO than the need
cd amount Of moisture.
Fortunately water Is in sufficient
supply as rule to make the ordi-
nary crops on most Of the arabic
land. OF course, in the arid regions
the water supply is obtained from
streams created mainly by melting
SHOWS, and, as rule, the irrigation
companies know just about what
water can be supplied, and the man
who has farm on which he can put
water from an irrigation plant is far
more certain of results than one who
gets his water supply by the acts of
Providence.
The irrigation farmer is therefore
Ia more certain as to the outcome of
his crops than those in the rain belt.
who get little or much water, accord.
Ing to the rainfall.
The water supply is therefore the
most uncertain and most important
In the greater portion of the arabic
lands OF this country, says writer in
Farm Progress. This is so well
known that no farmer who has
farmed on irrigated land, having ar
abundance Of water. is willing to &c
back to the old method and put his
dependence on Providence"
1t is most important point t.
know whether, under normal condi
tons. farming in any humid section
can be as safe, free from risk, ant
profitable as the business can b.
made when one can turn on the wa
ter as he needs without reference t,
rainfall.
| think that all farmers who hav'
studied the water question in connec
tion with crop making, will agre
with me, that great deal can b
done to conserve the moisture fror
all natural resources, and that often
fairly good crop can be made b
proper management.
1t is hardly safe to say that tn
rainfall that Is usual In the spring
sufficient to make a crop withou
more rain, but all observant me-
have learned that the rational cor
servation Of moisture can often max
good crops, when the neglect Q
this, will be certain to cause a fai
ure.
This is very important point, an
In some seasons 1t is absolutely vita
to the making Of fair crop. There |
no mystery about this; the point t
keep in mind Is to prevent evapors
ton of the water from the soil.
1t cannot be done entirely; muc
water will evaporate in spite of III
and much will go on down below tn
reach Of plant roots; but In season
Of only ordinary drought 1t is poi
sible to conserve enough moisture t
| hlohC q luti Ntop VI Will lOpdCCOp ~
tatoes and other hoed crops.
The dust mulch" or blanket {
finely pulverized soil on the surfac,
say three or four inches deep, wi
stop the waste of water almost ell
tirely. In fact, If the soil is ker
stirred on the surface quite often.
may be truthfully said that all ,h
moisture may be kept in the grodn
for the use of the crops.
OF course, we can never tell at tn
beginning of the season whether It
going to be wet season or a dr.
one, but II man cultivates wit
reference to keeping the moisture
the soil, 1t will be all the better
case OF a very wet season, and 1t ma
be the salvation of the crop In cas-
of severe drought. So 1t is wise
keep this In mind.
1t is therefore very important fl
one to plant no more land than /
can cultivate perfectly, and alway
In dry season to keep the SC
| stirred to depth of two or thre
inches. No matter whether the cult
walton is actually needed or nc
| stirring as often as possible fe
inches of the surface will stop IL
l escape as absolutely as cover
l sheet iron.
Those who doubt this method
saving crops from suffering
drought should try this method tho
oughly. 1t takes labor, but 1t ms
save the crops. know from expel
i ence