IRRIGATION IN THE MINNESOTA GARDEN AND ORCHARD. 225 



In the spring- of 1899, acting on these convictions, I changed 

 the method of distributing- the water to sprinkHng and found that 

 when there was water in the tank I could apply it evenly, in anv 

 quantity desired, on any part of the farm, or in different parts at the 

 same time, by simply attaching the sprinklers and opening the 

 hydrant valves. During the severe drouth of last summer, I applied 

 water to my raspberries only twice and obtained an excellent crop 

 of fine berries, especially from bushes one year old. Apple and 

 plum trees planted in 1899 which were watered last year when the 

 leaves were withering, and twice this year, have made more than 

 the usual growth and with the loss of but one plum tree out of 150 

 planted. Not one apple tree was lost out of 181 planted. My lawn 

 aind ornamental grounds, consisting of about one acre, were kept 

 in fine condition all summer, but on the lawn water had to be ap- 

 plied oftener than it tlid where the soil could be stirred and culti- 

 vated. Everything in the garden flourished, and from 120 hills of 

 watermelons planted in it 700 fine, luscious melons were grown, 

 which commenced ripening as early as July 15th. From fifteen 

 rose bushes planted last year fully 1,500 fine roses were picked this 

 last season. About 100 ornamental trees and shrubs, planted rather 

 late last spring, made a vigorous growth without any loss of trees 

 or shrubs, notwithstanding the dry weather. In fact, everything 

 to which water was applied gave excellent results, and I did not 

 find any bad results from applying water to any kind of plants in 

 the hottest sunshine. 



Methods of irrigation must vary according to conditions and 

 re((uirements in diiTerent localities, and much depends upon the 

 proper application of water in any locality, not only from an econom- 

 ical standpoint but to obtain the best results. The beginner in try- 

 ing to solve these questions without a full knowledge of practical 

 irrigation does not always succeed, and the Minnesota State Horti- 

 cultural Society can render valuable assistance in the successful 

 cultivation of the Minnesota orchard and garden by adopting some 

 intelligent niotluMl of investigation of the subject of practical 

 irrigation. 



Drouth-Resisting Strawberries. — Some varieties of strawberries 

 have greater ability to withstand drouth than others. McKinley, 

 Yale, Ideal, Crescent and William Belt, in the order named, were 

 found most resistant last season by the R. i. Experiment Station, 

 while Haverland, Parker Earle, Princess, llunn and P.ubach, in this 

 order, suitered the most. 



