Yerington times. [volume] (Yerington, Nev.) 1907-1932, 1915-06-26
DRY FARMER
MUST UNDERSTAND SEED
TO SUCCEED

All practices in dry-farming focus
around the one idea of saving the
moisture. This is done in two gen
cral ways. First, by preventing loss
as near as possible and, second. by
using the limited supply which is pres
ent as economically as possible.
In regions of small rainfall all the
various factors entering into the pro-
duction of crops must be as favora-
bic as possible if profitable yields are
to be obtained. Dry-farm crops are
growing under the stress caused by a
lack of water, and if other things in
their environment are not favorable,
is difficult for them to mature prop
erly. By supplying their needs in 9th
or respects they can in part overcome
the handicap caused by the scarcity
of water.
Only certain kinds of crops can
withstand the whitening hand OF
drouth Some are by their very ma
ture suited to grow in humid climates,
and they could not withstand the dry
conditions encountered in arid regions
for single day Their leaf area and
structure are such that al 1.-The mois-
ture would very soon be lost from the
plant itself Other plants are so ar
ranged that they can retain much of
their water even under very dry con-
ditions. Their amount of evaporating
surface is small in proportion to root
area. Thus the leaves can be supplied
the plant itself is not in danger of
being withered The water lily is at
one extreme and the cactus at the
other. All the cultivated plants lie
between. Some of the crop plants are
decided in their preference for wet
environment while others can endure
drouth with ease. Most of them are
intermediate in their needs.
Some of the cereals, like wheat and
barley, produce we'll even when the
water supply is not all that could be
desired. On the other hand timothy,
redtop, alsike clover and a number of
similar crops do not do well if kept
too dry For the hotter arid regions
the various sorghums have been found
to be good crops. In cooler climates
potatoes and peas often do well. Al
falfa is sometimes good crop, es-
pecially in the production OF seed.
Taken for most climates, however,
There are a number of varieties of
this crop which are good drouth re-
sisters.
After deciding what crops to raise
on the dry-farm the next question is
to get varieties which are suitable for
arid conditions. 1t is here that the
seed producer must understand his
business if he is to be successful. On
the dry farm it is not enough that
seed wheat be free from weeds and
disease but it must also be OF the va
ricties which are capable of thriving
in dry weather. If the seed is being
raised under arid conditions and sold
for planting under wet conditions the
variety is not so important, except in
so far as it affects the original yield.
On the other hand, if person is go
ing to cater to customers with dry
farms he must pay strict attention to
varieties if he desires to build up a
reputation for wheat OF the winter
wheats, Turkey red has given almost
universal satisfaction. 1t has some
bad features, but these are more than
compensated for by its many desirable
qualities. OF course the best varieties
must be determined for each set of
conditions-By. DR.. F. S. Harris.
POULTRY FOR MARKET