The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1914-10-01
EDITORIAL,
DRY FARMING PAYS


there has probably been a greater de-
velopment in dry farming than in
any other branch of agriculture with
in the arid regions. The term dry
farming" has been adopted by most
of the European countries as word
in their own languages. In most parts
of the civilized world its meaning is
understood.
Dry farming does not imply that
agriculture can be conducted without
water, but its methods are directed
toward using limited precipitation
economically in the production of
). Every plant requires a GER
tain amount of water for Its growth
and the aim OF dry farming Is to pre-
vent all unnecessary loss of water
so that the greater part of the pre-.
cipitation will be used for actual
plant production.
The effectiveness OF the rainfall va.
ries considerably in different regions.
depending on. the time of year 1t
comes, the condition of the soil, the
amount Of evaporation and a number
of other factors. Twenty inches Of
rainfall may be no more effective un.
der one condition than twelve inches
under another. In general, however,
dry farming is defined as the produc,
ton of crops without irrigation in
regions receiving less than twenty
inches of precipitation during the
year. Where other things are fay.
orabe crop production is often succ.
cessful where the precipitation Is
twelve inches or less. With this small
amount OF moisture, however, every
effort must be made to conserve 1t or
success is impossible.
There is nothing mysterious about
dry farming. 1t Is simply good farm
ing under adverse conditions. The
principles of good husbandry that
have been understood for generations
are applied in helping to make the
one limiting factor of water short.
age less severe.
In selecting dry farm the first
thing that must be kept in mind is
TO get In region where the RAINFALL
is sufficient for crop production. II
should be at least twelve inches dur.
ing the year, and much better results
may be expected II 1t is eighteen or
twenty inches The rainfall should
be distributed in such way that il
will be favorable for crops. For eX
ample, If il all fell in few torren
tal rains in the fall of the year the
greater part of it would be wasted
by running off the surface and by
evaporation from the soil before the
next years crop could use II.
After being sure that the rainfall
is favorable the soil should next bt
carefully examined A good dry
farm soil must be deep in order t
store sufficient water. A soil that /!
only one or two feet deep undertake
with coarse gravel can never be sue
cessful. The soil should also b.
OF fine texture. A coarse sand car
hold but small amount of water
SO 1t is advisable to select loan o
clay loan. A soil that is too heav,
is not good, as 1t Is difficult to Ill
and successful dry farming require
great amount OF cultivation. TIL
natural vegetation is one of the hes
methods of judging soil. Such que'
tions as nearness to market, the avail
ability of water for mary purpose
ANA for animals mt always be keI
In mind in making a choice.
The price of success in dry farmln
is thoroughness in all operations, TIL
blowing, narrowing, seeding and wee
ing must all be done with great car
""""re to do this may mean faiul