70 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
and, though not in some respects so satisfactory, may be more de- 
sirable than the larger expensive tile. 
Since coming to California, over a year ago, and observing the 
ease with which irrigation is practiced, and the wondrous growth 
and fruitage which result from abundant water, I have thought 
what a wealth I have in the brook on the old farm, and how that 
wealth has run to waste in all the past. Last season a large acreage 
of beans and potatoes on the level flat gave very meagre returns 
because of the severe drouth. They would have yielded bountifully 
had the water been utilized. I have always prized the brook for its 
beauty, its excellent water, always so delicious to drink and so val- 
uable for stock, but I am now convinced that its greatest import- 
ance has been entirely overlooked. 
In the upper part of my underground drain the fall is very great. 
On one side of this drain is a natural basin, with a deep, stiff, clay 
subsoil and backed with a clay hill. Ina week or two a man with 
team and scraper could form a pond of nearly an acre, with a depth 
of several feet. In case gravel was struck in digging for this pond 
clay could be easily secured from the hill, which would form an im- 
pervious bottom. Thus in a brief time and at slight expense, a fine 
tishpond and excellent irrigating reservoir could be constructed. 
We next have to level the “flat” that is to be irrigated below the 
pond, so that by ditches the water can be made to pass along the 
rows of potatoes, beans, etc., at pleasure. On my farm the low 
ground is already so level that I am sure, with slight expense, the 
whole lower flat can be fixed so that the water can be conducted to 
every part of it with slight labor and care. I feel certain that the 
entire expense of arranging the lower area for irrigation need be 
hardly more than the added profit of the crops for a single season 
like that of last year. The large fall and rapid current will make it 
easy to conduct the water into the pond at the upper end and let it 
pass out at the lower side into the drain again. 
When we are ready to irrigate we have only to run a furrow along 
the upper border of the area to be irrigated at right angles to the 
general course of the stream, so that it shall have slight fall. 
Through a convenient gate the water is conducted, as desired, into 
the furrow which skirts the upper margin of the flat, and from this 
into other furrows which run at right angles to it, and between the 
rows of plants to be watered. A man with hoe and spade can easily 
dig and bank up the ditches and furrows so as to conduct the water 
where he wishes it. Unless the fall is heavy in the main ditch or 
furrow it is not hard to manage the water and conduct it at will 
when it is desired. By care and close observation the first furrow 
can be run in a direction so that the fall and current will be gentle. 
I have no doubt that at no distant period many of our streams 
will be utilized for irrigation, greatly to the advantage of the farm- 
ers on whose lands the streams are found. Whenever the land is 
sufficiently level to permit of irrigation there can be no question of 
the profit of such enterprise.—N. Y. Tribune. 
