Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-05-26

Few farmers probably realize the role
which water plays. King found, for
instance. that il took sos tons of wa
ter to produce one ton Of dry matter in
cereals under Wisconsin conditions.
Briggs and ShantZ. OF Colorado, found
that II took 4S2 tons for small grams
under tho conditions prevailing in that
state Il has been shown by some inves-
gators that every time a ton OF dry
matter IS elaborated in corn, the soil
must contain and the plant handle from
2TI to SIS tons Of water. The grain
OF the corn plant contains ordinarily
ss.S per cent of dry matter and the
slower 81 per cent. A 5O-bushel crop Of
corn and two tons OF slower would there
fore contain 5,746 pounds of dry mat
ter. 3,240 pounds of which would be in
the gain and 2.5O6 in the slower. The
figures Indicate that, roughly speaking,
$50 tons OF water would be required
every time the corn crop elaborated the
equivalent Of one ton OF dry matter. On
this basis IL would take 1850 tons OF
water pumped out Of the soil and through
the tissues OF the plant 10 develop a
crop of corn Of the proportions indicated.
To grow Ie0 bushels OF corn would re-
quire the use of 2,lOo tons OF water per
acre. A crop of fifty bushels OF oats
and one and half tons Of straw con-
tains about 4.10T pounds OF dry matter.
Therefore, over loco tons Of water
would be required to develop this crop.
ana nearly as much would be required
in the case of crop Of wheat yielding
twenty bushels OF grain-snd a ton and
a half OF straw. Alfalfa which has been
cut five times per annum for several
years past on the college farm at Athens,
and has made an aggregate yield OF near
~ six tons per acre during the period
in question contains ga per cent OF dry
matter, and therefore an acre OF land
devoted TO this crop may produce TO-
SIS pounds of dry matter. No studies
have been made of the water require
nents OF alfalfa in the southern -tates,
but II not more than 500 tons be re-
CURED for each ton Of dry matter pro-
diced. observe that il would take over
$500 tons OF water 20 develop the crop
In a satisfactory degree.
These figures are presented to show
the vital relation which water bears to
the growth OF crops which make a sat
iSfzctory yield. They indicate that if
large acre returns are sought by the
farmer with any crop that he must so
handle and manage his land as 10 store
and make available during the growing
season great quantities Of water. Since
II is known that the vater-holding ca
pacity OF the soil may be greatly in
creased by deep blowing. the turning
under OF green crops and shallow Guilt
walton which tends 10 preserve a dust
mulch, il would appear that the farmer
could do much without material cost
towards storing and providing an ade-
quate supply of water for crops at those
seasons OF the year when droughts are
most likely 10 prevail
xs-FTF F~~ @n hn Fh1~ hn
cost Of installing tiles is so great as to
De prohibitive TO the average farmer. 1t
vas thought at one time that a farmer
could not afford 10 own an automobile;
yet we observe that there are nearly
5000 OF these machines in Georgia, un-
doubtedly representing an investment OF
s95.e00,00 Ninety per cent of these ma
chimes must be regarded as Injuries.
The state seems TO be able 10 maintain
them successfully. and an increase in
the number Of automobile owners is
shown from year to year. The amount
OF money invested in this one luxury
would tile drain the greater part OF
Georgia soils which would be benefited
by this operation. AS a matter of fact,
the cost OF installing 1000 feet Of three
inch tile will vary from SIS 10 $40.
Most OF the tile needed would be rela-
lively small. II has been definitely
shown. for instance, that where neldS
have been drained, the yield OF corn has
been increased from Is to so. or even
100 bushels. An investment of SIS to
$40 70 secure such a return is we'll
worth while. IL is a welI-known fact
that the yield and profit from crops
grown on drained land has been in
creased by 20 to SO per cent. Ii is not
the lack Of money which prevents the
drainage OF our lands. but disbelief in
the potency OF drainage and a failure
20 understand the true relation Of water
70 crop production.
This review OF the situation indicates
the essential nature Of drainage as a
factor in the development Of any per-
mauent type Of agricultural practice.
Naturally, drainage constitutes but one
Of the factors concerned in crop grow
ing. and therefore. in offering instruction