Semi-weekly herald., 1913-05-19

ing the early and later growth for
these purposes than is required dur
ing the intermediate growth, and it
is better to let the grain suffer lit
tie during the early growth than dur
ing the later growth. Moisture must
be present to flush the material from
the stalk into the head or the grain
will be shrunken, and the longer the
stalk the more water will be required
for this purpose. Early lack of mois
ture means shorter straw, but not
necessarily small yield of grain,
while lack of moisture in the later
growth means a shrunken grain with
a comparatively large yield of straw.
1t is almost always a good rule to
furnish some moisture by irrigation
when the grain is in early milk to
insure the flushing of the stalk.
Many natural and artificial condi-
tions influence the time and amount
of irrigation, and it is the farmer
who best understands and makes use
of them who is the most successful.
The condition of the soil, together
with the appearance of the plant, af-
fords a practical index of the re-
ouirement of the plant for water.
Soil taken from few inches below
the surface should retain it's shape
after having been squeezed in the
hand. This test is of great value
after little practice, but frequently
the inexperienced will be deceived by
the heavier clay soils, as they may
retain their shape and yet have very
little moisture that can be obtained
by the plant. An experienced farmer
follows the rule upon loans, not to
irrigate until the soil, which has been
squeezed in the hand, as indicated
above, appears barely to hold togeth-
er This test will be too close for
the inexperienced.
The appearance of the plant is an
excellent indication of the moisture
condition where no considerable guam
tity of alkali is present. However,
the appearance of grain when trou-
| bled with alkali, in the early stages,
is somewhat SIMILAR to the appear
ance of grain suffering from lack of
| moisture. Grain which has plenty of
moisture is of a light green color,
and when it begins to suffer for wa
ter it turns to a darker green and
the lower leaves begin to fire or turn
| yellow. When this condition appears
water should be applied. However it
is best to anticipate this period lit
tie, as the grain does not show its
lack of moisture until some damage
| has been done.
If the first irrigation of grain. or
the second in case it was necessary
to irrigate to start the seed, occurred
when the grain was in the early boct,
, it should be followed by an irrigation
when the grain is in the late flower,
and last irrigation when the grain
is in the late milk or early dough.
| 1t is not frequent that four irrigations
are required if the first occurs when
the grain is in the boot. However,
| in the localities subject to hot winds
and excessive evaporation, fourth
irrigation may be necessary. Much
depends upon the depth and retentive-
ness of the soil, but if the grain does
not require irrigation until it is in
late flower, there will probably be
but two irrigations, the second oc-
curing when the grain is in medium
milk Better results will usually fol-
low three irrigations than two, al
though no more water is needed for
the three irrigations than for the two.
The time of application will have
as much and frequently more influ-
ence than the number of irrigations
upon the yield and quality of grain.
In the above outline of irrigations it
is presumed that the spring precipi-
tation and the moisture stored in the
soil will provide for the grain until
it reaches the booting stage. If ir-
rigation water is applied Immediately
after planting, three irrigations will
probably follow at the time indicated
above.
The irrigation of grain which is
! rank at late date makes the grain
liable to lodge. The water softens
the stalk at or near the surface of
the grounds, the stalk is top heavy,
and moderate or hard wind will
cause the grain to topple over. This
is a serious matter in windy locali-
ties, and as a result the last irriga-
ton should not occur too late in
growth. A damp growing period or
too frequent irrigation tends to pro-
duce an inferior grain and to promote
rust.
In growing grain for fodder, more
applications of water will be given
during the early growth, as the object
is to secure rank growth of straw,
and the fodder is cut when the grain
is in the milk The number of irri-
cations for this purpose varies from
one in the colder climates to twelve
or fifteen in the hot, dry climate of
rizona