The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1913-01-11
PRINCIPLE OF DRY FARRIse
Methods Becoming Eore Ps2uls'
Along With Irrigation and Where
Moisture is Too Mesgsr.

While the possibilities OF dry farm
Ing are doubtless overestimated by
many, and It all yet be found tERt
In most semi-desert regions II cannot
do what has been claimed and hoped
for from it, these dry-farming meth
DDS are every day becoming more and
more popular along with irrigation
and in parts where the moisture Is
often too meager In The last named
parts. where at first business men,
and especially boosters, boomers and
land men, rabidly fought 1t on the
ground that II gave bad impression
of the country. 1t is now being looked
to as the greatest boon that ever came
to make uncertain regions almost sure
crop producers. To irrigators who
have had ample water, and so foolish
iy used too much of 1t till their lands
are becoming sour and soggy with
subirrigation, 1t is proving great
blessing; and to those who must frri-
gate. but at times lack ample water
supply, 1t is proving perhaps the
greatest blessing Of all. says the Da-
6ota Farmer. -
In much of our mountainous region
there is an over-supply of water when
the SHOWS are going on In the spring,
but an equal dearth of 1t when once
the snow water is gone. These peo-
pie are finding that by very deep
blowing. occasionally. and proper sur
face tillage afterward. very much OF
this early surplus of water can be re-
tanned far into the growing season.
This is meaning much, In fact every
thing in some parts.
There are other wide irrigated sec
tons that are opening up more acres
than the old wasteful methods can
supply; but instead of discouragiDg
the new acres, all are urged to con.
serve the water taks. by frequent
surface tillage, and other methods
known to up-to-date dry-farming
This, In some cases coming under our
notice, has more than doubled the
acreage possible. In California, in
Colorado and In the western part OF
the Dakotas, and all along the rivers
In Montana and Wyoming. we have
seen an increase of acreage under this
treatment that formerly would no
have been thought possible.
Nor is the increase Of possible acre
age the only gain from this source
It Is found that better crops both II
quantity and quality can be grown
where tillage takes the place of too
much watering. Potatoes especial!
are greatly benefited by this. The
old-time watessoaked "spud" in NJ
way compares with the potato grow
by two waterings at the most, ant
proper sort of tillage. 1t is fount
that even spuds can be over-irrigated
and that small amount of judiciou!
narrowing and even disking, can bt
made to take the place of overfloodin,
to the general betterment of the ha.
crop. Sugar beets also tell the sam
story, as do many other farm prod
ucts.
A great many close students of tn
SItudllOu SIcdIiy QucStlOu, duu Ii6uIly
In our mind, the possibility of thi
system doing very much for parts o
the country admittedly desert; but NJ
one at all acquainted with its posi-
bilities questions for moment tina
1t is going to be the means of addin
greatly to the certainty of crop
throughout the vast and otherwis
productive region referred to which l
now so often discouragingly uncel
tain.
Deep stirring Of the subsoil, II onl
every third or fourth year; NOR
planted crops well titled more early
we'll cared for summer fallow; NOR
early blowing following early matul
Ing crops such as winter rye an
wheat, barley, ETC.. more harrowin
Of small grain. and disking OF alfalf
and other sods. and last but nc
least, more deep-rooting alfalfa an
clover with stock to consume
means much In dry-farming and to III