The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-05-05
Utilizing Gullies.

SIS Utilizing Gullies. - ~
On many farms that have been under
cultivation for some time there are gull.
lies worn more or less deep by the run
ming of the water that accumulates IN
fields during the prevalence of contin-
ued rains. They are of no value to the
farms they disigure, but on the other
hand are great disadvantage to them.
They occupy q large amount of land,
prevent passing from one side of the
farm to another with wagons and ma
chinery, and have constant tendency
to become longer, wilder and deeper.
Generally the sides break down every
spring as the frost leaves the soil, and
the earth which falls to the bottom is
carried away by the running water.
The deepening of the gullies increases
till stone or hard clay is reached. Often
bushes and weeds fill up large portion
of the sides and bottoms of the sullies
and they become the resort of small but
very mischievous animals. The loss
sustained by the presence of gullies on
many farms is very considerable, and
pains should be taken to prevent it.
In many instances gully may be
utilized. The past season has taught
the majority of farmers the value of
having better supply of water on their
places. Ordinarily sufficient amount
Of water runs Through gully during
the spring to entirely fill it. If this
water is stored up it may prove of great
advantage for the summer, especially if
there is protracted drought. 1t will
be needed for stock, may be wanted for
washing purposes, and can always be
used to excellent advantage for irri-
eating the land, whether it is devoted
to grass or cultivated crops. Last sum-
ner scarcity of water for stock was
felt in most parts of the country. ~ A.
A gully may be converted into pond
by simply building a dam across the
lower portion of it. This dam may be
built of earth, timber. brick, or stone,
the latter being in every respect pre-
ferable. The stone should be laid up
with mortar, composed in part, at least,
of hydraulic cement or water lime.
The stone wall should extend into the
embankment on either side sufficiently
to prevent the water from washing
around It. 1t should also extend below
the bottom of the gully at least as far
as the frosts ever penetrates. On top
of the dam should be depression for
the overflow of the pond when it is
full. Near the bottom should be a
large metal tube. furnished with stop
cock for use in drawing off the
water as it is desired. The tube should
connect directly with the watering
trough, which should be where stock Of
all kinds can readily approach it. If
desirable the water can be conveyed to
a distant pasture by means of a wooden
or metal pipe. The same tube may be
employed for conducting water for irri-
eating purposes. An arrangementofth this
kind will save much labor in drawing
water from we'll or cistern.
1t often happens that small but
constant stream of water from a spring
near its upSer extremity flows through
a gully. When this is the case it is
very easy matter to construct a fish,
pond, after the manner suggested for
making a pond for storing water for
stock and irrigating purpose. BY build
ing several dams along the course of
of the gully the pond may be divided
50 that fish of different varities and
sizes may be kept within proper bounds,
and all danger of 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 pond designed
for fish can be drawn off when in
abundance for the supply of stock as
well as for washing and irrigating pur-
poses. The oftener it is changed the
better it will be for the fish and cattle.
Many farmers decline to engage in fish
culture on account Of the trouble and
expense of excavating suitable ponds,
but when a gully can be Utilized for
holding water the expense of construct
ing pond may 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 re-
quired but to fill It with water, to plant
lilies 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 it will greatly
improve its appearance. Many public
parks owe much of their beauty to the
gullies that have been improved by in
expensive methods. Some of those in
Druid Park, Baltimore, 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 practicable, be filled up.
This may often be done by throwing
stones, stumps. brush, corn stalks, and
other rubbish into them and finally
covering the whole with soil. Some
times a'dry gully may be utilized by
planting the sides with berry bushes
and grape .vinesss Many varieties of
berries do best when grown in a partial
shade. A sort OF semi Jungle may
often be formed in dry gully which
will make very pleasant resort for
children. By having it partially
shaded by vines growing on the banks
and trained over the top, it will be cool
even during the hottest weather.