Show LESSEN WATER LOSS Large Volumes Lost by Absorption Absorption tion in Canal Systems One of Most Common Sources of Shrinkage Is From Faulty Preparation Preparation Prep Prep- of Surface Soil An Soil An Another other Is Lack of Attention nece Recent t investigation made b by the experiment ent stations have shown that the quantity of water which plants use torms but a small ms joi-ms part of that which Is diverted from streams for irrigation tion purposes Large volumes are are lost b by absorption and seepage in the earthen channels of canal systems Similar losses occur in the ditches which supply farms and anti a large part of the remainder is wasted in irrigating ting crops The Tho farmer is chiefly concerned concerned concerned con con- in lessening the waste of water wa wa- wa- wa ter tel in his supply ditch and on his farm In localities where water is I scarce the supply ditch should be made watertight water This may be done by lining the channel with cement concrete cement plaster asphalt leavy heavy crude oil all or clay puddle Flumes or pipes ma may also be used as ast t substitute for an ditch One of the most common sources of loss of water Is poor preparation of the surface When the soil soU is irrigated irrigated Irrigated ir Ir- ir- ir by flooding from field laterals an uneven surface causes needless waste of water extra labor in spreading spreading spread spread- ing ng it over the surface and smaller yields fields The water flows into the low places which receive too much and ma may become water-logged water while the high places are left without water I md ind the crop thereon is dwarfed The surface between field laterals should be so evenly graded that water will flow in a thin sheet over oyer the entire surface the excess being caught up by the lower lateral Another common cause of waste Is the lack of attendance Water is oft oft- sn en turned on a portion of a a. field and permitted to run without ut attention for hours bours and even days On some farms the irrigators look after the water for forten forten forten ten hours and turn it loose for the balance of the day Under this prat practice practice tice lice the low places received too much the high places little or none and a large part flows off the field to I Ithe the injury of the roads and adjoining farms Too Too shallow and too frequent Irrigation irrigation irrigation tion is another source of waste Wetting Wetting Wet Vet Vetting ting the surface and anti neglecting to cultivate cultivate cultivate cul cul- it afterwards may result in inthe inthe inthe the loss by evaporation of three- three fourths of the water which is applied In this way For most plants and for Cor all rooted deep-rooted plants in particular lar the ground should be so prepared that water would readily percolate to toa a 11 considerable depth beneath the surface surface surf surf- 9 ace e and enough water should be applied applied applied ap ap- ap- ap plied to moisten the subsoil Again in hi farming by irrigation thor thor- ough and frequent cultivation Is of first importance It not only prevents prevents prevents pre pre- vents the escape of large quantities of soil moisture into the air all in the form of vapor but it greatly improves the condition of the soil |