The Osceola times., 1886-08-14
GARDEN IRRIGATION.
Advantages to BE Derived from irrissuns
Small Plots of Land.

Advantages TO bf DctiNtu h""'
Small Plots of Land.
In this country irrigation is hardly
ever practiced except in regions where
the rainfall is generally insufficient to
insure the production Of most cultivated
crops. or where ii 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 sufii-
cient to insure the production OF good
crops, but where severe droughts are
likely to occur during the summer,
seems obvious. If farmer can lrrgate
a few acres Of land. he can produce all
the vegetables and small fruits that ms
family will require, even if there is no
rain during the months in which plants
make their principal growth. If he can
irrigate but a single acre he can RAISE
on il all the potatoes, garden vegetables
and strawberries that his family can
consume He can also raise many c1o-
bages and roots that will be of great
value TO his stock The product Of this
acre will "keep the wolf from the door
and prevent the sacrifice OF property or
the contracting of debts.
On many farms there are streams or
springs that afford water enough dur
inc the year TO irrigate an acre OF la nd
during a season of protracted drouth.
The water of the stream or spring gem
erally flows between banks that render
the building of dam comparatively
cheap and easy. If there are stones in
the vicinity. foundation for the dam
can be made Of them. they being
placed below the frost line. The dem
NAV be made straight or in the form of
o crescent A strong water-tlght dam
NAV be made of soil that contains a
large proportion of clay. To prevent
washing, the surface eau be covered
with turf or it can be seeded to grass.
The dam should be provided with a
passage for water on top so as to pre-
vent washing when the pond becomes
full. On the side from which the water
is to be drawn off for irrigating pur-
poses there should be spout of wood
or metal that can be closed by a water
gate. From this there should be
shallow channel running above the plat
of land that is to be irrigated if the sea-
son requires the artificial application OF
water in order to produce crops.
From this channel lateral drains can
be opened from time to time with hoe,
as the condition of the land to be irri-
gated requires. The vegetables should
be planted in rows running at right
angles to the main irrigating channel
The water should be made to flow be-
tween the rows late in the afternoon or
early in the morning. II is not well to
allow it to run in the middle of the day
when the sun is shining. When small
extent of ground is to be irrigated, great
pains should be taken in its preparation
before planting, and in its cultivation.
1t should be deeply plowed or spaded,
highly manured and kept free from
grass and weeds. The surface should
be nearly level, there being only sulii-
cent fall to allow the water 10 lind its
way over the ground. If the decline is
considerable the soil will be washed
away from the surface that is the high
est. 1t is good plan TO work the
ground with cullivatOr or hoe from
one to three days before the water is let
on it, The plants will then grow with
the most astonishing rapidity, and Will
require no more water for several days.
The finest vegetables and small fruit
are produced on land that is artilicially
watered.
reservoir is of great value TO a farm,
even if the water it holds is not needed
for irrigatng purposes for a series of
years on account Of sufficient rainfall.
An artificial pond or lake adds greatly
TO the beauty of farm. Especially is
this the case if il contains an island that
is planted TO trees, shrubs and flowers,
and has its banks ornamented by sim
liar means. \ supply OF water like that
afforded by an artificial pond is very
useful 70; stock purposes. II saves the
cost of raising water from well 1t
gives the farmer an excellent oppor-
tunity for raising water fowls. 1t also
makes it easy for him TO lay in a supply
of ice The pond can he used for rails
ing carp and other kinds Of fish. II has
been demonstrated, both in thi, country
and Germany, that an acre of water can
be made to produce as much food as an
acre Of land. The water, when once
supplied with fish, continues TO produce
food almost without labor or expense.
A fish pond is promotiyc of pleasure as
well as Of profit If it is properly orna-
mented as it may be at small expense.
it will be the most attractive portion Of
the farm Chicago Times.