Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-06-21
House, Farm and Garden
1. ID. II. COLLINS, Editor.
Irritation.

irrigation.
The subject of irrigation is one destined
at no distant day to interest large portion
of the farmers of this country. Hitherto
little has been done to utilize water, and
yet we believe that the marketable pro-
ducts of some sections of this Union might
be doubled and perhaps increased in
greater proportion by the appropriation OF
what now literally runs to waste.
A recent report of distinguished Euro
pean traveller, with regard to Italian farm
ing, incidentally mentions the wonderful
effects of irrigation in that country, and
also its widespread adoption. In the prov
ince of Lombardy, in total area of 6,000,-
900 of acres, more than 100000 are irri-
gated, and to do this more than 1000 miles
of canal have been built, beside arteries to
lead the water to private and remote prop
critics. The system there is now new
Dating back several centuries, it has dem
onstrated its value; and especially where
sewage water has been used the result has
been astounding.
In giving specimens of the effect of irri-
CATION, the traveller says:
'The irrigated plains of Lombardy pre-
sent most rich and luxuriant appearance,
as large proportion of the watered land
is under perennial grasses of fine quality.
One farm of ninety acres near Milan was
visited, of which only one-third was mead
ow, and the remainder arabic, as vegetable
and other crops are raised specially for
consumption in the city. The grass when
seen August oath was twenty-fOur days old,
was then fit for cutting, and had been cut
seven times previously since the beginning
of the year. There was also crop of cab
bages then covering the ground well, and
these had been planted after a crop of
wheat, taken off exactly two months before.
The ground had been irrigated twice for
these, once before and once after they were
planted, and in a few weeks more they
were to be fit for market. Weare not told
any thing about the treatment of the land
in regard to manures, but the water is said
to be used eleven times over, from where
it enters the farm to where it leaves it
which, We may presume, means that it pas
ses through so many compartments. The
supply must be abundant to allow of any
passing away after going over such an ex
f tent of heated land"
In this province, the water is usually
paid for by the individual who uses it, &C
cording to the size in the opening in tho
f canal and of so much consequence is tn,
2 water regarded, that. pumps, worked by ;
! process quite expensive, send it back from
. the lowest to the highest point, that it ma.
Q re-traverse the fields, and reinvigoTate tn
f growing crop.
] Irrigation has doubled the producto
f most farms, and increased the quantity Q
: produce in sections of others three and fou
. fold
n There is no question as to the value c
# water The writer of this article one
Q turned a small stream on to six square rod
Il of gravelly loan for the months of Apr
If and May, and the result was a crop Of ha
double that cut in any former year i
y quantity, and worth at least three times 4
? much-bringing in, as it did, an abund
:. ance of red clover, where little but Jun
Is grass.
al This subject must be brought to the a
tention of American farmers; and tn
to adoption of system of irrigation will som
t time in the future increase our products
Of an extent quite beyond our present belle
of -Hearth and Home.