American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-03-29
CONSERVATION 90 MOISTURE
THE DRN fAnNfnS' PROBLEM
How and Why Moisture Tan BE Cen
served 20 Mature Crops.

How and Nhy Moisture a bt ton
served 20 Mature Crops.
When We come 10 realize that IS
per cent OF The elements which enter
Into the production Of crops In the
way % moisture and chemical plant
foods can be conserved. developed, Or
supplied By proper tuiage and rota-
ton n tina only 10 per cent Is
dependent upon the soil Itself. wo
win insist that chemistry. 70 far as
Il pertains 10 agriculture, shall be
taught IN eeery public school ! hope
the day ~ not far distant when every
b0y and girl may be able 10 look upon
a held Of growing grain and tell what
the aOi lacks and che reason why
maximum production u not being
obtained Science can unlock this
siorehonse Of knowledge and VIII do
10 whenever the people realizing the
pOaslbilitien that tie therein. demand
II. Scientific farming and business
methods In the handling Of our nat
afai resources viii bring 70 Idaho
an era Of prosperity such az Wc have
never known
We are entering upon the serious
study Of these problems In the
early days Of ldaho'a settlement u
saa considered that tho supplying o.
modatere Nes the only thing needed
% secure maximum results. Import
ant a. water Is. ~ have learned that
h b drink, aud NOT food that while
"A ilheraiea aud makes available the
plant foods contained Ia the soil
IA aoes not creafe them We have
discovered further. and q ia o most
valuable discovery. that moisture can
be conserved ns veil AS supplied y
that the means necessary 60 ms con.
nfuntion are highly beneficial in the
production 0f crops. both as 20 yield
and quality. and have q lesson for
every farmer. whether he irrieatea
or not. Cultivation Is replacing irti-
eatlon on large areas and making
possible the successful tillaeo Of our
arid regions A combination Of the
tNo irrigation aud cultivation Is
the ideal condition aud ouf dry farm
rrs are demonstrating that cultiva-
tion d not less important than irri.
ehtion Dry farming methods are
producing splendid yields with less
thar hall che moisture during the
entire year that many lrrigators be-
iiese Is absolutely necessary during
the months Of May go september
alone.
Dry farming Is a science based up-
on proper cultivation and rotation
Success is not dependent upon late
spring aud summer precipitation, at.
though these are beneficial " condi'
lions are right hut II they compact
the surface and set up evaporation
bv brlurinE the moisture from be-.
low Go me ~coinpacted surface. NOR,
moisture Wlil escape in eapor form
than the storms add aud injury rather
than hsuent Nfii result Moisture q
a prime essential to crop production
and ihe nrst consideration of the drl
farmer Instead ~ supplying 4
thrnnrh dlfrhrs. he ploNs deep ans
creates a reservoir thaf will take ui
aad hold fali and apr.rg rains Nns
fhg SHOWS OF eiuter ne ploNs whci
abe suii is molsf aud i~mmediatcll
hnrfoas to make the top Tow lnchc
loose ard porous This frcauuen
prevents evaporation. holds the moss
fare slightly below the surface am.
FItss access io fhe aIr should rain
ramt sufficient GAP run th's top dress
Ine furethfr. fhe lanai H thorough
tafrun0H Co restore 70 'oose c'odd
m.ieh and fha uois'are chat Ten
Hdiei fo thlt already lu iho sol
shaa'i aeeis aprr1r they are ig
airnfri hf cultivation. usually wit
a harroa 10 fats. more aafrr 3
iasflrr f nHa.a. ff'sfi. taan an e0
~ CORN or d bnndle af wheat
hfatg ffuafh uf weeds on snmme
a.H iaHi ni practically eXhtu.
si .fr NnI.ftrf fhaf Dr. Iu IT, so th.
eH. HHHf aH..U NtN 49,. NHrmfH