IRRIGATION. 



PRIZE ESSAY — PREMIUM $20. 



Its utility. — The application of water to the surface of lands, for 

 the promotion of vegetable growth, has been practised, in warm coun- 

 tries, from the earliest ages. Its indispensably essential use in ancient 

 Egypt, and the great benefits derived from its introduction, at a later 

 day, into Italy, sufficiently established its eminent utility. But, being 

 less necessary in the cooler and more moist climate of Britain, it was 

 afterwards lessextensively practised in the system of agriculture which 

 spread to the settlements of America. The summers of the northern 

 and middle States, are equal in warmth to those of northern and central 

 Italy ; but in copying the practice of agriculture from England and 

 Scotland, the wide difference in the heat and dryness of summers has 

 been too much forgotten; 



The great advantages resulting from a due proportion of moisture in 

 the soil, must be evident to every one, on a moment's reflection. Who 

 does not know that nearly all farm crops, during vigorous growth, are 

 benefitted by frequent showers? Who has not noticed the great dimi- 

 nution in the amount of pasture and hay, in potatoes, ruta bagas, and 

 other farm products, resulting from long continued or unusual droughtl 

 What farmer is ignorant of the fact that meadows and pastures in wet 

 or moist situations, or which are occasionally overflowed by streams, 

 are covered with a growth of herbage far heavier and more luxuriant 

 than the diminished products of dry and unwatered uplands? Who, 

 then, can question, that during the heat and drouth of our summers, 

 not unfrequently quite severe, our root crops would be greatly assisted 

 in their growth, and our crops of grass double in weight, by artificial 

 watering, through channels spread over the surface of the land 1 



There appears to be but very few examples in this country, of well 

 conducted and systematic irrigation. A few, however, have sufficiently 

 shown its advantages. 



