Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-08-07
FARM MANAGEMENT.
Advantages To Be Derived from
Irrigating Small Portions Of
Land for Gardens.
How Underdrains Secure Moisture for
Sells During Seasons of Pro-
tracted Drought.
lrrigating small Plants.


IN this country irrigation is hardly
ever practiced except in regions where
the rainfall is generally insufficient to
insure the production of most Guilt
waited crops or where it is restricted to
. few weeks in the season. That it
might be practiced with most excellent
results in many parts of the west and
south where the rainfall is ordinarily
sufficient to insure the production OF
good crops, but where severe droughts
are likely to occur during the summer,
seems obvious II farmer can irri-
gate few acres of land he can pro-
duce all the vegetables and small fruits
that bis family will require, even if
there is no rain during the months in
which plants make their principal
growth. II he can irrigate but single
acre he can raise on it all the potatoes,
garden vegetables, and Strawberries that
his family can consume. He can also
raise many cabbages and roots that
will be of great value to his stock. The
product Of this aero will keep the
wolf from the door" and prevent the
sacrifice of property or the contracting
of debts.
On many farms there are small
streams or springs that afford water
enough during the year TO irrigate an
acre of land during season OF protract-
cd drought. The water of the stream
or spring generally flows between
banks that render the building of .
dam comparatively cheap and easy.
If there are stones in the vicinity, y
foundation for the dam can he made of
them, they being placed below the frost
line. The dam may be- made straight
or in the form of a crescent. A strong,
water-tight dam may be made of soil
that contains large proportion of
clay. To prevent washing the surface
can be covered with turf or it can be
seeded with grass. The dam should be
provided with passage for water on
top so as TO prevent washing when the
pond becomes full. On the side from
which the water is to be drawn off for
irrigating purposes there should be a
spout of wood or metal that can be clos
ed by q water-gate. From this there
should be a shallow channel running
above the plat of land that is to be irri-
gated il the season requires the artificial
application of water in order to pro-
duce crops.
From this channel lateral drains can
be opened from time to time with a
hoe, as the condition of the land 10 be
irrigated requires. The vegetables
should be planted in rows running at
right angles to the main irrigating
channel. The water should be made to
flow between the rows late in the after
noon or early in the morning. 1t is
not well to allow it to run in the mid
die of the day when the sun is shining.
When small extent of ground is to
be irrigated, great pains should be TAX
en- in its preparation before planting,
and in its cultivation. 1t should be
deeply plowed or spaded. highly manur-
ed, and kept free from grass and
weeds. The surface should be nearly
level, there being only sufficient fall 10
allow the water TO lind its way over the
ground. If the decline is considerable
the soil will be washed away from the
surface that is highest. 1t is a good
plan to work the ground with cultiva-
tor or hoe from one to three days be-
fore the water is let on il. The plants
will then grow with most astonishing
rapidity. and will require no more
water for several days. The finest
vegetables and small fruit are produced
on land that is artiiicially watered.
A reservoir is of great value to q
farm, even if the water il holds is not
needed for irrigating purposes for a
series Of years on account of sufficient
rainfall. An artificial pond or lake adds
greatly to the beauty of a farm. Es-
pecally is this the case il il contains Az
island that is planted to trees. shrubs,
and flowers, and has its banks orna.
mented by similar means. A supply OF
water like that afforded BY an artificial
pond is very useful for stock purposes.
1t saves the cost of raising water from
well. II gives the farmer an excellent
opportunity for raising water fowls. i,
also makes it easy for him to lay in q
supply of ice. The pond can be useG
for raising carp and other kinds oil
fish. Ii has been demonstrated both in
this country and Germany that an acre
of water can be made to produce a.
much food as an acre of land. Tn,
water, when once supplied with fish
continues to produce food almost with
out labor or expense. A fish pond il
promotive Of pleasure as well as of pro
tit. ii 1t is properly ornamented, as j
may be at small expense, it will be tn
most attractive portion of the farm.