Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1912-04-26
FARMING ON
DRY LAND
Continued from first page.)

VI cropping the laNu alternate years.
The plan that has been successfully
adopted in California, Wyoming,
Utah, western Kansas and Nebraska,
is as follows:
As soon as the frost is out of the
ground in the spring. land that has
been plowed the previous year is
disced until the soil is loose and por-
GUS enough to absorb any rains that
may occur. After rains and as soon
as a crust forms, the harrow is used
for the purpose of forming u mulch
blanket and destroy weeds. This OPP
Grafton is continued until early fall,
when the ground is again plowed,
disced, and if lumpy and loose. made
compact by using a sub-surface pack
er. Wheat is then drilled and the
surface made compact by using the
corrugated roller. TO summer fallow
and not cultivate the land is Of no
benefit, but on the contrary detri-
ment if weeds are permitted to grow.
for they not only consume as much
water and plant food as a crop, but
in the absence Of Il mulch blanket
moisture escapes.
Soil Mulch.-Soil mulch or spread
ing on the surface, straw, grass or
any organic matter that will prevent
the suns rays from reaching the soil.
causing evaporation, as ii means Of
conserving moisture, is not practical
in any extensive way, still some farm
ers have distributed straw during the
have been rewarded by Il 50 per cent
increase. The mulch prevented the
waste of moisture during the time the
crop was growing. 1t also proved
effective after the grain was cut, and
when piowed under it improved tie
texture OF the soil. The plan gives
excellent results to the truck garden
er, especially is it beneficial to pota-
toes. The objection is that it binders
aeration Of the seed-bed, due to the
fact that ifa straw mulch formed,
cultivation is impossible
Fertility.-The dry farmer must not
lose sight Of the necessity OF MAIN
tanning a high state OF fertility. The
moisture absorbing and retaining
power OF soil depends upon the
amount Of organic matter it contains.
Soil deficient III that will not retain
moisture long. lIumus is necessary
to hold nitrogen, and it is absolutely
essential to maintain soil bacteria.
Nitrogen can be maintained by plant
ing alfalfa. COW peas. AMI SOY beans.
Ii the soil is deficient in phOsptor-
Gus, ana manure is not available, it
should be supplied III commercial
form.
Rotation.-R Rotation of crops should
not be overlooked. Alfalfa is not
only drouth resisting legume, but
it improves the soil in every way.
1t furnishes organic matter and nitro
gen. 1t renders the soil porous and
makes available latent plant food. \
good rotation for the dry farmer to
adopt is wheat. peas, potatoes, rum
ming alfalfa six years. Other drouth
resisting crops can be placed in !,
rotation system. Any crop grown on
the same land year after wear will
gradually decrease in production.
Planting should be planted
deep enough to j, sure rapid gevmini-
ton. Corn and sorghum should be
listed. Packing the soil after planting
is very beneficial unless the ground
is wet. The best implement 10 use is
II corrugated land roller. Grain
should be drilled. broadcast sowing
has proven Il failure in arid sections
Seed and Crops. The dry land far.
mer should select seed and strains
that are known to possess great
drOuth resisting qualities. and b,
grown in about the same latitude il
which he intends to use it.. The seet
should be fully maturetl. receive prop
er care from the time it is gathered
and possess strong terminating quail