St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-12-21

SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL.

SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL.
sub-lrrigated Gardens.
An interesting series Of experiments
In growing vegetables by sub-irriga-
ton Is going forward in South Flori-
da, and the results achieved have been
90 satisfactory that the area OF this
method Of culture is being largely and
rapidly increased.
BY sub-irrigatiOn the cultivatOr be-
comes in q great measure independent
OF the weather. II matters little to
him whether the heavens give or with
hold . regular and sufficient supply OF
moisture. In the first case hls irri-
eating trenches carry of NIL supera-
bundance OF moisture, In tho latter the
supply Is kept up by artificial means;
BY the use Of flowing wells or BY
pumps worked by steam. by hand. or
By .windQi1eA The latter. however.
develop so small an amount Of power
that they are Of very little use.
A very small sub-irrigated garden is
required to supply all the vegetables
that can be used by n family. Some
who have used them to grow vege-
tables for sale. and have kept record
Of the quantities produced and sold.
find ON figuring up the results that
their returns have exceeded the rate
OF two thousand dollars per acre. Fur.
ther. that a largo variety Of vegetables
can be successfully grown any month
in the year. the constant supply Of ma
nure giving q uniformity OF growth
that In q great degree seems to dis
pense with the usual effects Of the diff
ferent seasons Of the year.
One important feature Of the method
II tho faSe that it emphasizes the inn
portance Of intensive cultivation. 1t
shows the folly Of spreading ones self
out thin over ten acres. when much
moro satisfactory results can be Sc
cured from one acre. II the fertilizer
and the effose be concentrated on the
smaller tract 1t brings in sharp con-
trast the position of the gardener and
the tiller Of the soil, the labOrer on
large fields. greatly 70 the advantage
of the former. Success with small
plots OF land means tho multiplication
Of homes where plenty ab0unds.
Though sub-irrigatcd gardens can
not fail to be of great benefit in all
parts Of Uncle Sans broad domains.
South Florida is evidently the locality
IN which they will doubtless secure
heir highest Development A few OF
Ae more pertinent reasons are that
ihis section is exempt from destructive
frosts nearly the whole year. there be-
ing occasional exception. in December
and January. but ut no time SUM-
ciently severe to injure hardy vegeta-
bles; the temperature rarely going
lower than IS or 40 degrees. Secondly.
the several weeks Of dry weather each
spring and autumn make sub-irriga-
ton . prime necessity to supply tho
daily needs Of the people rs well as
secure to the planter the most salts
factory practical results They would
also be Of great advantage in produc-
ing vegetables for shipment to sections
locked fast in ice and snow. and also.
In supplying canning factories at other
seasons Finally. they will tend to
concentrate effort on smaller areas and
greatly increase the wealth as well as
tho comfort Of increasingly prosper.
Gus communities.
Varied modes are being adopted. the
standard garden being about as fol-
lows: Trenches four feet wide by %
inches deep are dug across the garden
II feet from center TO center; in the
bottom a perfectly level bed Of cement
il laid. and the slider brought up four
inches. making . trough four inches
ieep and level from side to side and
sud to end. When this has hardened
it il given a thin coating Of cement to
make It absolutely water tight This
Is then filled with shell. fragments Of
rock, or Of wood; or boards 1x4 inches
are set on edge about An inch apart
and small spaces left between the enis
that tho watcr may percolate freely.
At intervals Of few feet boxes made
Of six.inch boards arc set upright,
reaching above the level Of the
ground to give . supply Of air.
Tho she'll rock or boards arc
then covered with grass. palmetto
leaves, bush. eto., and the trench filled
with tho earth removed. or with moro
fertile soil. A pipe connects each
trench with the source Of water sup
ply. and tho innowing stream is reg
ulated by . stOp-cock. An outlet b
also provided to carry OF all surplus
water. In case OF continued wet
weather the trenches act as drains; is
there . drought, the water in the
cement reservoirs is drawn up by
capillary attraction. and the plants are
supplied at all times with the exact
amount of moisture required. The
cost Of the work Is from $500 to 81. 900
per acre. Other plans and modifica-
tions Of this plan are being tried. Of
which / may give an account in .
future article. Sherman Adams. In
American Garden.
Methods Of Culture.
In answer 70 queries OF correspond
ents who fail to entirely grasp Truitt's
Method. the Southern Cultivator gives
the following:
1T 10 . fact Of not uncommon OBJ