IRRIGATION 



poured into the barrels. This water was of course 

 soapy and you might suppose the soap would hurt 

 the plants, but not so ; it helps them. Soap is alkali, 

 which means "not acid," and so it would sweeten the 

 soil the same as lime. Soap also kills many bugs, 



WATER POURED INTO A HALF BARREL FILLED WITH HUMUS WOULD MAKE 

 UNDERGROUND IRRIGATION, BECAUSE THE WATER GOING THROUGH THE 

 HOLES IN THE BARREL WOULD REACH THE ROOTS OF THE PLANT 



so if you can put dish water around your plants 

 do so. But always pour it on the ground and do not 

 sprinkle it on the leaves, for the soapy water might 

 injure some of them. 



I wonder if you know why plants are grateful 

 for clean leaves. Because they breathe through 



115 



