1996 The Cornell Reading Courses 



several points. The wear and tear on the hose is also serious, soon neces- 

 sitating a new outfit. Another considerable drawback is the long time 

 required to sa^tisfactorily water a garden. Many gardeners, in using a hose, 

 do more harm than good.. They spend from half an hour to an hour in 

 watering a garden of considerable size, when in reality they have only 

 moistened the top layer, leaving a layer of dry soil between this top layer 

 and the lower body of moist soil. The surface soon dries out, and the 

 labor, the wear on hose, and the water are wasted. 



Another method of irrigation is the furrow method, which requires 

 a supply of water led to the highest point in the garden, through- a pipe, 

 a spout, or an open ditch. From the main source lateral furrows or ditches 

 are constructed, preferably between ever>" other row in the garden. The 

 water is then allowed to run through these furrows whenever required 

 during dry periods. As soon after watering as conditions permit, the 

 soil should be cultivated in order to conserv^e the moisture. The furrow 

 system has the advantage of being cheaply and easily installed, but it is 

 wasteful of water. This method is of very little value where the land 

 is uneven in contour or where the land is absolutely level. It works best 

 where the garden slopes gradually away from one point. • Where soils 

 are very porous or very hard, the furrow system is not successful. 



Subirrigation is accomplished by means of tile that are laid below ground. 

 The general system consists of a main from four to ten inches in diameter 

 from which extend laterals three or four inches in diameter. The subsoil 

 should not be open and porous, or loss from percolation will result. The 

 best results from the use of this method of irrigation are obtained where 

 hardpan is found two or three feet below the surface and where the topsoil 

 is a rich sandy loam full of htmius-making materials. There are many 

 advantages in subirrigation. All of the parts of the system are below 

 ground so that there is nothing to interfere with plowing, harrowing, and 

 other labor on the soil. The surface of the soil is never wet as a direct 

 result of irrigation, making it possible to till it at any time. There is no 

 baking of the soil, and if a good mulch has been established, it can be 

 maintained with less labor. The drawbacks of this method of irrigation, 

 are found in the cost of installation, and in the very slow movement of 

 the water from the laterals through the soil. 



The fourth method of irrigation is the overhead system, which aims to 

 imitate a light rainfall. This method is now much used in commercial 

 gardens in New York State in preference to others. There are several 

 different firms that handle equipment for this method. The chief 

 advantage of this plan lies in the even distribution of water with very little 

 attention. Where the home gardener has water under pressure, it will 

 be possible to install the overhead system. The cost of a line fifty feet 



