The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-25

valley to urge the farmers to increase
their profits through the medium of
irrigation. This will not be done this
year. however, as the experts in Ques-
Wichita where several. thousand acres
of land have already been put under ir-
rigatiOn.
H M. Cottrell. agricultural commits
sioner for the Rock Island. is one who
is impressed With the possibilities in
intensive farming in the fertile garden
spot of the countryside Kaw valley.
Mr.. Daniels when in Topeka the other
day had much to say about what could
be done through the adoption of strict
ly modern methods a--d he expressed
himself as being Of the opinion that ir-
rigation would do wonders in increas-
ing the yield OF some crops-and ne
mentioned particularly alfalfa to which
more than ten thousand acres have
been planted. and truck garden crops.
Crops Should Pay Well.
Mr.. Daniels said: 1T seems to me
leys Of Kansas are very great, to say
the least. An acre Of truck garden
land should pay from $500 to $500. ana
an acre in onions or celery $l,0OO to
81, 500 Blackberries and raspberries.
where irrigation is in vogue, should net
from $500 to $500 an acre. These fig
ures are conservative. Handsome re-
turns have been realized by individual
growers in Shawnee county who nave
taken care OF their crops. We estimate
that the increase in alfalfa yield on
farms that are irrigated is so per cent.
or more in an average season While
the rainfall is more adequate in Shaw
nee county than in some other sections
of the state. nevertheless irrigation
would pay
Many centrifugal pumps have been
installed in the district around Wich-
tia as a result Of the efforts of the
Rock Island. The underhow is the
source of water supply.
While irrigation would increase the
Weld of alfalfa in Shawnee county
excellent results have been recorded
according to official figures. The
acreage in alfalfa has increased to a
remarkable degree in the last few
years and in favorable seasons four
or five cuttings are made.
"The Soil Survey OF Shawnee
County," recently published by the
United States department OF agr1cul-
ture. has the following to say concern
ing the production Of alfalfa in this
county:
Alfalfa Important Crop.
alfalfa has attained a position of
Importance in recent years. IT is
grown on all types OF soil. both bot
tines are made each year. The best
results have been obtained by sowing
the seed in August on a well pre-
pared seed bed, free from weeds Al
though the bottom soils are particul-
arly adapted to this crop. satisfactory
stands and god yields are secured on
practically every type In the area.
Some farmers have experienced DIM
Guilty in securing a stand on the up
lands probably because of the absence
OF the necessary. bacteria from the
sofl, but after two or three attempts
thfs dificulty Il finally overcome and
later seedlings ON the same ground
are more satisfactory. Crops Of seed
are usually secured from the second
cutting.
Alfalfa hay for market is usually
baled in the field, and that for home
use il usually stacked In the field OF
stored in barns or hay sheds. At the
time of the twelfth census dS00)I
there were about 1000 acres In this
crop, and since that time the acreage
| has steadily increased until alfalfa s.
now an important crop on almost
every farm"|F. L. s.
Editors note.-This is the second
| Of q series Of articles on agriculture
| in Shawnee county.