Show CULTURE OF ALFALFA difference in methods of applying water to crop recognized as one of most important factors in arid and semi arid sections of west acreage being increased more and more la alfalfa coming to be recognized as one of the most am of farm crops especially in the arid and semiarid semi arid section of the west these sections begin with nebraska and sweep westward to the pacific coast colorado Is probably the lead ing alfalfa growing state of the union california comes next and not only in these states but in all oth era within the boundaries of the sec alons named the acreage of alfalfa Is being rapidly increased and alfalfa being a product of the arid and semi arid sections its production implies the process of alon and in this connection prof samuel Fort ler chief of irrigation in of the united states ex perl ment station has just issued an important bulletin on irrigation of alfalfa professor groups the prevailing methods as the border method the check method flooding from field literals laterals late rals furrow irrigation etc and says essentially the border method con cluts sluts of the division of a field or tract into long narrow strips or lands by low flat levees which usually extend in the direction of the steepest and confine tha water to a single strip the bed of each strip la carefully graded to a uniform slope although the slope may change to conform to the contour of the natural surface the water to irrigate each strip la taken from the head ditch extending across the upper edge of the field and Is controlled by an outlet box or bor der gate although the gates are sometimes omitted to save in first cost lot preparing tor irrigation check gates canvas dams or metal are used to hold up the water in the head ditch to cause it to flow into the borders this method Is confined chiefly to the irrigation of alfalfa and grain and in its various modifications Is used ex in arizona and to a less extent in idaho montana and other rocky mountain states the essential features of the check method of irrigation consist in sur rounding nearly level plats of ground with low levels and in making provision to floor each by means of a ditch and check box or gate the spaces may be laid out in straight lines in both directions thus forming with their levee borders a saries of rectangles or the levees may follow more or less closely the contour lines of the natural surface of the ground thus forming contour checks this method Is used on heavy coils where it Is necessary to hold the water on the soli to secure its percolation to the desired depth flooding from field ditches or lat brals s still the most common method of applying water to arid lands of western america in the states of colorado montana wyoming utah and to a large extent in idaho alfalfa clover native meadows and grain are irrigated in this way this manner of wetting dry soil or it Is believed in the moun tain states and the last halt century has witnessed a gradual evolution of this plan BO thai now it has not only become firmly established but Is regarded as the best suited to the condl alons under which it Is practiced it can profitably be used on slopes that are too steep for other methods fields having a firm soil and a fall of from 25 feet to feet have been flooded successfully from this ex the slope may diminish to less than 01 in its cheapness s another feature which recommends it to the farmer of limited means ordinary raw land can be prepared for flooding at an expense of from 2 to 5 an acre again it Is adapted to the use of small water supplies |