438 



ANXUAL REPORT. 



IRRIGATION. 



The question of irrigation is each year commanding more at- 

 tention among practical strawberry growers. The great value 

 of moisture to the crop, and the uncertainty of rains at thei^eriod 

 of ripening, the most precarious period of successful berrj^ cul- 

 ture, has led to an extended discussion upon the merits of irri- 

 gation as a means to supply moisture in field culture. As yet no 



FIGURE 6. 



experiments have taken place that will fully decide if irrigation 

 pays, by an increased yield of the crop. No one doubts the 

 value of irrigation, the cost is the only question to be decided. 

 The most successful plan so far has been the laying of drain tiles 

 a foot deep under the row before setting the plants, and when 

 the irrigation is needed, filling the tiles with water and allowing 

 the water to saturate the soil. This plan has been found to be 

 the best of all plans so far tried. The water does not harden 

 the soil as when applied by surface watering. We shall watch 

 with interest trials that are made to test the water. A very suc- 

 cessful plan of irrigation for garden culture is that of setting 

 near the berry plants ordinary earthen flower pots, even with the 

 soil, and on approach of dry weather filling them daily with 

 water. Those who try it will be delighted with the largest and 

 most delicious of berries. 



HILL CULTURE. 



Hill culture would be more practiced in berry growing were 

 it not for the trouljle of keeping the runners from taking root. 



