The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-09-09

MOISTURE FOR THE CROPS.
Water Stored Up For Use During Periods
OF Drought.

Water Stored p FOR I Sc DuEihk ohAous
OF Drought.
What has retarded irrigation in the
east is that the east is blessed with more
rain during the growing season than
some portions Of the west and that each
farm has its own pccullaIltles OF sur
face, location, texture Of soil, etc,
which have been obstacles to the gener-
al adoption Of a system Of irrigation,
the expense in some locations being
much greater than III others, but 1rrlga-
ton has Leen tested on small plots
with success and in manner to encour-
age those who have made experiments
to believe that some method Will yet be
devised which will present itself III
favorable light to all, says the Phlla-
delphia Record, authority for the follow
ing:
Water may BE- stored III the soil by
iudicious blowing and cultivation to a
large extent, but its use and loss must
be governed by the manner Of growing
the crop. Farmers are better educated
on cultivation than was the case pre-
ivously, owing to experiments at the
stations, which have been published and
spread broadcast. but cultivation does
not save all the water, a large portion
flowing away which should be retained
for use during dry periods. In many
sections this is being done with wind
mills, which are now so cheap as to be
within the reach of every farmer, and
with them irrigation depends upon the
conformation Of the surface Of the soil.
Water is pumped into reservoir To-
Gated upon Il high point, the water
flowing where it is required by gravity.
1t is estimated that an ordinary 10
foot diameter wheel will raise sufficient
water in eight hours to irrigate one
third Of an acre an inch in depth, or
that with velocity Of wind Of Is
miles an hour 10 foot wheel will
raise ] . gallons Of water 20 feet in one
minute, or /, 140 gallons per hour.
On every farm where windmill is
used the additional cost of storing wa
ter other than that required for stock is
but little, and the expense Of two or
more windmills is less than the loss
from drought. Where there is a mOder-
ate rainfall the supply of moisture nee
essary to assist through dry period is
| but little, and excellent results have
| been obtained by the use of large tanks,
| but Il Small reservoir can be construct
! ed at Il moderate cost. A tank 10 feet
| high and 10 feet i'll diameter holds
| 1915 gallons Of water, but as a reser-
voir can be provided to hold ten times
that much water at bat little more ex-
| pense the storage supply could be made
| ample. This does not imply that one is
| practicing irrigation, for to do so largo
! storage reservoirs are necessary, but at
| small cost the farmer can protect
| himself to a certain extent against
| drought On fields of corn that have
| been grown by listing the centers be-
| tween the rows We're opened with a one
| horse pillow and water conducted so as
| to flow down the drains. Before the
| ends of the rows are reached the ground
| becomes well saturated, and small
| piece may be irrigated each day. 1t
must not be overlooked that the capa-
| city Of the tank does not limit the sup
| ply, as the pumps can furnish more
| water than the farmer may wish to use,
| and us Il tank or reservoir may be drawn
| Off and filled several times during the
| season the amount Of water used will
| be considerable. Attention is called to
farmers will fiTd it an advantage to ex-
| pertinent in that direction where it can
| conveniently be done.