The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1889-10-31
SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL.
sub-irrlgated 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
so satisfactory that the area Of this
method OF culture Is being largely and
rapidly increased.
By sub-irrigation the cultivator be-
comes in a great measure Independent
OF the weather. 1t matters little 70
him whether the heavens give or with
hold regular and sufficient supply of
moisture. In the first case HIS irri-
eating trenches carry off all supera-
bundance OF moisture. in the 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 windmills The latter. however,
develop so small al 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
Their. that large variety of vegetables
can be successfully grown any month
in the year, the constant supply OF ma
nure giving uniformity of growth
that in a great degree seems to dis
pense with the usual effects of the diff
ferent seasons of the year.
One important feature of the method
Is the fact that it emphasizes the i'm
portance of intensive cultivation. 1t
shows the folly of spreading ones self
oot thin over ten acres. when much
more satisfactory results can be Sc
cured from one acre. If the fertilizer
and the effort be concentrated on the
smaller tract 1t brings in sharp con-
trast the position of the gardener and
the tilier of the soil. the laborer on
large fields, greatly to the advantage
OF the former. Success with small
plots OF land means the multiplication
OF homes where plenty abounds-
Though sub-irrigated 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 viii doubtless secure
their highest development A few of
the more pertinent reasons are that
this section is exempt from destructive
frosts nearly the whole year, there be-
ing occasional exception. in December
and January, but at no time sufi-
GENTLY severe 10 iniure hardy yegeta-
bles; the temperature rarely going
lower than IS or 40 degrees Secondly.
the several weeks OF dry weather each
ton prime necessity to supply the
daily needs OF the people as well as
secure TO the planter the most salts
factory practical results They would
also be OF great advantage in produe-
ing vegetables for shipment to sections
locked fast in ice and snow. and also,
in supplying canning factories al other
seasons Finally, they will tend to
concentrate effort on smaller areas and
greatly increase the wealth as well as
the comfort OF increasingly prosper
Gus communities
Varied modes are being adopted, the
standard garden being about as fol-
lows: Trenches four feet wide by p
inches deep are dug across the garden
II feet from center 10 center; in the
bottom perfectly level bed of cement
Is laid, and the slider brought up four
inches, making trough four inches
deep and level from side 10 side and
end to end. When this has hardened
it is given a thin coating of cement to
make il absolutely water tight This
is then filed 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 ends
that the water may percolate freely.
AT intervals Of few feet boxes made
Of six-inch boards are set upright,
reaching above the level of the
EA0AA1 ~ NARE-t ~ A-A-
The shell. rock or boards are
then covered with grass, palmetto
leaves, bush. etc, aud the trench filed
with the earth removed. or with more
fertile soil. A pipe connects each
trench with the source OF water sup
ply. and the inAowing stream is reg
uiaied by stop-cock- An outlet is
also provided TO carry OF all surplus
water. In case of continued wet
weather the trenches act as drains; is
there a drought, the water in the
cement reservoirs is drawn up by
capillary attraction. aud the plants are
Supplied al all times with the exact
amount of moisture required. The
cost Of the work is from 500 to 81. 600
per acre otber plans and modiica-
lions OF this plan are being tried. of
which / may give an scoount in
future article. Sherman Adams, in
Anne rican Garden.