OCR Text |
Show A HOMEMADE SYSTEM FOR IRRIGATION How a dry-land farmer in Wyoming contrived to enjoy partial benefits of irrigation with little of the expense involved in carrying waters from streams to fields is reported briefly in a study of ranch organization in the northern Great Plains regions made by several economists of the United States Department of Agriculture. Agri-culture. This rancher was anxious to improve im-prove his meadow land so that it would produce more hay for wintering winter-ing stock. In his region lack of water limits the growth of the grasses. grass-es. His meadow lay somewhat below be-low the level of the hills on which his cattle ranged. He constructed a comprl atively large ditch along the side of a nearby hill, which caught the run-off from the range land and diverted it to the' meadow and farm land. ' i Although this did not provide a reliable reli-able irrigation supply, with water ready for use whenever desired, it did make possible the collection of surplus water from a comparatively light rain, and provided a much heavi- er irrigation for the crop area than could otherwise have been possible. It provided for seasonal irrigation immediately following rains, and concentrated con-centrated the run-off on a small area, giving the crop land what corresponded correspond-ed to the benefit of a much heavier ! raifo than acutally fell. In other cases it may be possible to throw a solidly constructed earthen dam across a draw, gully, or' a stream this is dry except after rains, and so catch run-off in a pond that will give seasonal irrigations at times between rains. |