The Parker post., 1912-05-04
CULTURE OF ALFALFA
Difference in Methods of Apply
ing Water to Crop.
Recognized as One of Most important
Factors in Arid and Semi-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, it's pro-
duction implies the process of irriga-
ton, and in this connection Prof
Samuel Fortier, chief of irrigation in
yestigations 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-
slsts 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 a 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 edge 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 it 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 a 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
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 a
series of rectangles, or the levees
may follow more or less closely the
contour lines of the natural surface of
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 it's
percolation to the desired depth.
Flooding from field bitches or lat.
erals is still the most common method
OF applying water to arid lands of
western America. In the states of
Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Utah
and to large extent in Idaho alfalfa
clover, native meadows and grain are
irrigated in this way.
This manner of wetting dry soil or.
lglnated, 1t is believed, in the noun
tain states and the last half century
has witnessed gradual evolution of
this plan SO that now it has not only
become firmly established, but is re-
garded as the best suited to the condi
t1ons under which it is practiced.
1t can profitably be used on stones
that are too steep for other methods
Fields having firm soil and a fall
of from rs feet to 100 feet have been
hooded successfully. From this ex
treme the slope may diminish TO less
than 01 in 100.
It's cheapness is another feature
which recommends it to the farmer
OF limited means. Ordinary raw land
can be prepared for flooding at
an expense of from So to S. an
acre. Again, it is adapted to the use
OF small water supplies"