GROWING STRAWBERRIES BY IRRIGATION. 19 



I expect this mill and two pumps to irrigate fifteen acres of land in 

 1896. I could spare two million of plants, of value of $5,000, and 

 have plenty of plants left to yield me 25,000 quarts or more of straw- 

 berries. 



APPLYING THE WATER. 



I have used one-inch and one and one-fourth-inch gas pipe for lead 

 pipes to conduct the water to points most convenient for distributing 

 it. I lay them temporarily on the surface of the ground, and move 

 them when needed elsewhere. One and one-fourth-iuch pipe is about 

 as large as one man can conveniently take apart, move, and screw 

 together. A few short joints of rubber hose are very convenient for 

 varying the direction of the pipes, instead of using elbows or Ts. 

 Twenty-five feet of hose at the end of the extension of pipes is quite 

 necessary for applying the water. I also use ditches and wooden 

 troughs as far as practicable. Swales and other irregularities of the 

 surface have been a great hindrance. 



I usually apply the water between the rows of plants, and if it has 

 had sufficient time to soak in, only half the rows need water be- 

 tween them. If only rapidly flooded, apply to each row and dam 

 the water so it will come even with the plants. Once in a week 

 is often enough for a thorough watering in summer. In the spring, 

 when the mulching is on the ground, the waterings need not be so 

 frequent. I commence watering in March before frost is all out, and 

 before the mulching is off the plants and continue it till November. 

 I aim to have the ground well moistened before it freezes and soon 

 after cover with mulching. The rows of plants should run in the 

 direction most advantageous for conducting the water, but should 

 have a very moderate incline. I have not tried to use earthen reser- 

 voirs or large lumber tanks, and do not care to use them. I have 

 been informed that some who have tried earthen reservoirs on this 

 bottom land have not been successful with them. They will leak, and 

 moles bore holes in the banks, etc. 



RECOMMENDATIONS. 



The windmill is the cheapest power we have, but often in the 

 hottest, driest weather in July and August the wind fails to do its 

 duty and the supply of water is short also. A horse power or engine 



