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<br />0" .' ~I <br />v..d I 't <br /> <br />The ~tt~al oo~ditlon3 in the area have resulted in a unique systen of <br /> <br />water use. large diversto:J.s are made in April and lily when the water is avail- <br /> <br />able nnd the excess water so diverted and not required for the immediate ~eeds <br /> <br />of the pl~.nts is stored in the porous subsoil W1derlybg a lc.rge portio:! of the <br /> <br />irrigated area. The ~round water level is built up until oo~taot is made with <br /> <br />the root zone of the plo.nto. This ono.bles the planta to draw upon the ground <br /> <br />water supply during the months of JulYI Au~ust and september when the surfaoe <br /> <br />run-off is far below tho requircn6.1ts of the plants. This distorted use of <br /> <br />water is not d13s1rable. certe.in areas whioh are not well drained go to 8oep. <br /> <br />The method of use is extrl!l.va:;ant of w:.\ter. The supply available for use during <br /> <br />the oritioal irric;o.tion period is both insuffioient and unoertain. <br /> <br />la:::lds within the Conejos area arc suitable o:1ly for the productio:;l of <br /> <br />specialized crops under a well devised. pra.otical, sucoessful method of crop <br /> <br />rotatio~1. The most sucoessful rotiltions have been found. llfter years of trial <br /> <br />and error, to require rat3~r long periods. They generally follow.patterns <br /> <br />somowhat as follows: <br /> <br />potatoes <br />ScalI Grai:1S <br />Sweet Clover <br />~ll;lish Peas <br />Alfalfa. . . <br /> <br />. . . . <br /> <br />2 years <br />1 yoar <br />. 1 yalU" <br />I YOlU" <br />2 to 4 yea.rs <br /> <br />. . . . <br /> <br />nstura . . <br />or 'iruok Crops. <br /> <br />. . . . . . . . <br /> <br />Another suooessful rotation Is, <br /> <br />Alfalfa or Clover with Gro.in <br />Cover Crop . . . . . <br />Alfalfa and/or Clover. <br />Potatoes (or Sugar Be~t8). <br />Grain or Field Peas. . . . <br /> <br />. 1 year <br />2 years <br />2 years <br />1 year <br /> <br />Thesc rotnt:.ons W'1dar the conditio:lS of l!loder:l mechanized oporat1o.."'ls require <br /> <br />of tho far::\<3r, in ardor to provide himself with a;J. L'"1Qome sufficient for a <br /> <br />desirablo sto.~dard of living, an aoroage larger th~ is ordi~arily considored <br /> <br />adequate in other irriGated scctions oi' the United Statcs. <br /> <br />- 5 - <br />