WATER FURROWS. 49 



doubtless the most perfect of all methods of irrigation 

 by surface channels and furrows ; while for larger ones or 

 market farms, in which the supply can be procured from 

 wells or carried into reservoirs for final distribution, it is 

 equally perfect. The form of the channel deserves con 

 sideration. The typical canal or furrow, (shown at fig. 

 17), is one in which the earth thrown out forms a bank 

 above the channel, preventing the influx of water from 



Fig. 17. FORM OF FURROW. 



a neighboring channel, while the lower bank is not raised, 

 and permits the escape of a thin sheet of water over the 

 ground below it. There are many forms of furrow avail 

 able which will occur to the practical operator as they 

 may be needed. But there are some methods of strength 

 ening the furrows against wearing away by the currents 



Fig. 18. PROTECTED FURROW. 



of water worthy of notice. One of these (shown at fig. 

 18), consists of a trough of wood, two strips of four or 

 six inches in width being used. These are nailed to 

 gether by their edges, and imbedded in the furrow. 

 The water, in passing along, is prevented from escaping 

 into or from flowing over the soil except at the open 

 side of the trough. A portable wooden trough (fig. 19), 

 with cross channels, may be used to convey water over 

 ground that is under cultivation, or is not in a con- 

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