The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-09-13
Watering Gardens.

Where the regular plan of irrigation has
not been practiced and all its effects and
symptoms studied, there are very vague
ideas of the amount of water needed and
the frequency it should be used. Many
gardens are nearly ruined in dry weather
by limited and frequent waterings.
Watering does but little good unless it is
ample enough to reach the roots. Any
thing less may settle the dust and cause a
crust on the surface of the ground near
the vegetables, which is next thing to
death. A shower at which one inch of
water falls, if it does not fall too sudden
ly, will wet the earth probably three
inches-scarcely to the roots of anything.
And a fall of one inch of water will
amount to q large quantity if measured.
On garden 100 feet square it will
amount to $3.50 gallons, or 100 hogs
heads. On an acre it will amount to over
l. 700 barrels. But where the soil is very
dry, it would take fall Of three inches
to make the ground wet enough to pillow,
or to thoroughly soak the. roots of corn
and other vegetables. This is the kind
of watering gardens want, and this is the
kind they get on gardens or farms which
are irrigated artiicially. And it is found,
by the closest experiments, that this irri-
CATION could not take place oftener
than once in eight or nine days. This is
hint for those who are sprinkling their
gardens every evening. is 81.
There are WAYS IN which some plants
can be watered oftener and successfully.
Cucumber and other vines require con-
siderable moisture, and if hole be dug
near the hill, and filled with water, per-
hitting it to settle to the roots of the
plants, then fill up the hole with dug
dirt, SO that no crust can be formed, the
vines in this way will be kept thrifty,
and bearing fruit prolific ally through dry
seasons.
A large number of flowers do not need
watering during ordinary dry weather.
Keep the soil about them louse and mel
low, is about all that is needed. 1t is
true it may be beneficial to the your &
lady to go out each evening with her two
quart watering pot to revive the flowers.
But In this case it would be better to con.
vince her that two feet from the stem Of
the flowers was the proper place to
sprinkle the water 1t is, in all serious
ness, best to make fuirow with q hoe q
little distance from the plants, and then
I'LL it with water, letting it gradually
reach the roots, and early next morning
fill the furrow or trench with dry mellow
searth. But in this case the amount Of
water to do any good is much larger than
is generally supposed. But do not under
stand us, that if watered in this way it
does but little good. On the contrary,
many plants, when Towering, demand
large quantities Of water, and If done
right they will pay in copious Towering.
But not in the slight watering pot sprin-
king. Girls Juggling water in two-quart
measures may be healthful, but it is one
of the follies which has been practiced
long enough. If only one plant can be
watered rightly, do that effectually with
water which a1all reach its lungs deep in
the earth Then to prevent the sun from
drinking ii up and parching the earth,
cover with light. dry soil. This is prob
ably trenching upon what has been con-
sidered for centuries very benevolent
work In reviving the poor dropping flow
ers. Such is not Natures plan Of water
ing, and such is not the way of wisdom
and success. IoDd STATE Register. ~