780 ANNUAL, REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



foods than is found in the water in general use, as from springs or 

 wells or from water companies. There is no doubt as to the truth 

 of this matter, but only in a very small greenhouse is such a method 

 practicable. A cistern is sometimes used in conjunction with a 

 more complete water supply, the water from which is held in re- 

 serve for special purposes. 



A never failingsupply is what must be secured else the result might 

 prove disastrous. Out in the country, away from a regular water 

 supply furnished by a company or municipality, a drilled or a driven 

 well or a never failing spring or creek with a windmill or some other 

 motive power whereby the water could be lifted to a raised tank or 

 to a point on higher ground should be secured. The higher the tank 

 or whatever the storage method may be the better, if the expense 

 is not too great, because a greater pressure to aid in distributing the 

 water is thereby secured; and a heavy water pressure is advantage- 

 ous in the hands of a careful person watering the plants, because 

 it aids in getting the watering done more quickly when haste is 

 not a detriment. In the hands of a careless operator a high pres- 

 sure is sometimes a disadvantage, because more water is likely to be 

 given oftentimes to the plants than is good for them when said plants 

 cannot use same to advantage, as during dark, cloudy or rainy 

 weather or in a low temperature. A careful man will, however, regu- 

 late the water supply at the spigot by turning same on only half or 

 even less as the necessity of occasion requires. A strong pressure 

 is a boon in any greenhouse on a bright, warm day, when the water 

 may be given freely, both at root and on branch, and many insects 

 which are among the banes of plant life under glass are kept in check 

 by the judicious use of a powerful force of water; this applies es- 

 pecially to what is known as the red spider, which will be treated 

 under the head of insects, later. 



A windmill was referred to as a good pov.er to bring into use to lift 

 the water to an elevation, but when this is used the storage capacity 

 should be large enough for at least a two weeks' supply, though a tw^o 

 weeks' supplj'^ is ver}' indefinite. As a guide, for a greenhouse 100 

 feet by 20 feet, 500 gallons a day on the average should be ample. 

 It is surprising how much water our plants seem to need when the 

 wind does not blow. In the months of August and September, we 

 have very often noticed the wind is frequently not found working 

 quite so faithfully as we would like it to do. 



Other motive powers for pumping water besides wind, are steam 

 and the various hot air engines, but the best water supply of all is, 

 when obtainable, through some public works, as a municipality, bor- 

 ough, township, or by a private company. 



The vast importance of the water s-upply will be realized when it 

 has to be carried some distance on a bright, hot day. Personally, I 



