The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-03-23

the gully at least as far rs the frost ever
penetrates On top of the dam should be a
depression for the overflow OF the pond
when il is full. Near the bottom should be
a large metal tube, furnished with stop
cock for use in drawing off the water as II Is
desired. The tube should connect directly
with a watering trough, which should be
where stock of all kinds can readily approach
il. If desirable, the water can be conveyed
10 distant pasture by means OF wooden or
metal pipe The same tube may be en-
plOyed for conducting water for irrigating
purposes. An arrangement OF this KIND VIII
save much labor in drawing water from a
we'll or cistern.
1t often happens that small but con-
slant stream of water from spring near its
upper extremity flows through gully.
ter to construct fish-pond, after the man
ner suggested for making pond for storing
water for stock and irrigating purposes. 3y
building several dams along the,cOurse OF
the gully the pond may be divided so that
fish of different varieties and sizes may be
kept within proper bounds. and all danger
of their preying upon each other can be
completely avoided. by constructing a
series of falls over the dams the water will
become charged with air. so that the fish
will be in no want of material for purifying
their blood. The water OF a pond designed
for fish can be drawn off when in abund-
ance for the supply of stock, as we'll as for
washing and irrigating purposes. The
oftener it is changed the better it will be for
fish and cattle. Many farmers decline to
engage in fish culture on account of the
trouble and expense of excavating suitable
ponds. but when gully can be utilized for
holding water. the expense OF constructing
pond can be greatly reduced.
Gullies may also be converted into ponds
| for the use of water fowls, and hogs, which
greatly enjoy, and are benefited by, place
/ in which they can wash themselves. A gully
that has long been offensive to the sight may
be made to ornament the premises to very
high degree. Nothing is required but to I'LL
it with water to plant hills in the soil of the
bottom, to sod the banks above the water,
and to plant some ornamental trees, shrubs,
and vines along the sides. A few rustic
| bridges thrown across II Will greatly I'M
prove its appearance. Many public parks
owe much of their beauty To the gullles that
have been improved by inexpensive me
thods. Some OF those in Druid Park, Balti-
more, are marvels of beauty.
Occasionally gullies are found that are
constantly dry, the water that formed them
now flowing through other channels. When
this is the case they should. if practical, be
! filled up. This may often be done by throw
ing stones stumps brush, corn stalks and
other rubbish into them and finally cover
| ing the whole with soil. Sometimes dry
gully may be utilized by planting the sides
with berry bushes and grape vines. Many
varieties of berries do best when grown in q
partial shade. \ sort of semi-jungle may
often be formed in dry gully which will
make a very pleasant resort for children
By having il partially shaded by vines grow
ing on the bank; and trained over the top
it will be cool even during the hottest
weather.
Very many gullies may be utilized for the
construction OF silos Their presence viii
save nearly all the work of excavation, and
thereby greatly lessen the expense of con
structiOn. II they are of considerable length
an addition To the silo may be made at any
| time with little trouble or expense. If the
gully is permanently dry, nothing will be
required TO convert it into silo but to build
the walls and fill up the space between them
and the banks with earth. If some water
runs through the gully it may be conducted
below the space occupied by the Silo through
a cement or earthen drain. The presence Of
gully on a farm may do much toward in.
ducing the owner TO test the value of ensi
| lage.
If the gully is situated at some distance
from the farm or stable where the stock is
generally kept, it may still be employed
for the purpose of silo. By throwing q
light roof over that portion of the gully that
is below the silO an excellent feeding
place for cattle may be obtained at very lit
tie expense. A dry gully may be made tC
afford very excellent protection 10 stock II
times of severe storms, and even through
the hardest winters. Indians often keel
their ponies in gullies in the sides of hills
the top being covered with logs and ever
green boughs. 1t would seem that the skill
and inventive ingenuity of white men coulC
utilize gullies to as great an advantage a
savages do.