The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1890-03-29
SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL.
Sub-lrrigated GARDENS.

An interesting series OF experiment
In growing vegetables by sub-irriga
ton is going forward in South Flori
da, and the results achieved have bee
80 satisfactory that the area OF thi
method OF culture is being largely an,
rapidly increased.
By sub-irrigation the cultivator be
comes In great measure independen
OF the weather. 1t matters little t,
him whether the heavens give or with
hold regular and sufficient supply O
moisture. In the first case hts irri
eating trenches carry off all supera
Guidance 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. OF
by windmilis. The latter, however
develop SO small an amount of power
that they are of very little use.
A very small sub-irrigated garden Il
required to supply all the vegetables
that can be used by a family. Some
who have used them to grow vege.
tables for sale. and have kept a 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 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 inn
portance OF intensive cultivation. It
shows the folly of spreading ones self
out 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 tho position of the gardener and
the tiller 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-irrigatea 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
their highest development. A few of
The more pertinent reasons are that
this section is exempt from destructive
Irosts nearly the whole year. there be-
ing occasional exception, in December
and January. but at no time suffi- |
,iently severe to injure hardy vegeta-
oles; the temperature rarely going
over than IS or 40 degrees. Secondly, |
he several weeks of dry weather each
pring and autumn make sub-irriga-
ion prime necessity to supply the
laily needs Of the people as well as
ecure to the planter the most salts
actory practical results. They would
.lso be of great advantage in produce
ng vegetables for shipment to sections
ocked fast in ice and snow. and also.
a supplying canning factories at other
easons Finally. they will tend to
effort on smaller areas and
realty increase the wealth as well as
ne comfort of increasingly prosper
us communities.
Varied modes are being adopted. the
tandard garden being about as fol-
'ws: Trenches four feet wide by 90
lches deep are dug across the garden
feet from center to center; in the
ottom perfectly level bed OF cement
laid, and the slider brought up four
ches. making a trough four inches
,ep and level from side to side and
I'd to end. When this has hardened
is given a thin coating of cement to
AXE it absolutely water tight This
then filed with shell. fragments of ,
'ck, or OF wood; or boards 1x4 inches
o set on edge about an inch apart ;
I'd small spaces left between the ends
at the water may percolate freely.
intervals OF few feet boxes made ,
six-inch boards are set upright,
aching above the level of the
'ound to give supply OF air.
ne shell. rock or boards are :
en- covered with grass. palmetto
ayes, bush. ETC., and the trench filled
th the earth removed. or with more }
rifle soil. A pipe connects each
snch with the source of water sup
y, and the inAowing stream is reg :
ated by stop-cock. An outlet is
30 provided to carry off all surplus
ster. In case OF continued wet
'ather the trenches act as drains; is
ere a drought, the water in the ?
ment reservoirs is drawn up by o
pillary attraction. and the plants are 8
pplied at all times with the exact '
lount Of moisture required. The g
st of the work is from $500 to 81, 900 b
= orro Ofhor v,1ons o.I sn1l:c a