IRRIGATION OF CROPS 



depend upon one's situation; as above said, it 

 will pay to have both. 



The expense of fitting up such an arrangement 

 for irrigating a market garden is not so large 

 that gardeners should say they cannot afford it. 

 At present prices and in the light of our present 

 experience, we can reckon the cost at figures 

 much lower than five years ago. If one has not 

 the means to pay for these facilities, and does 

 not feel warranted in going into debt for what 

 one wants, of course one must do without them, 

 and depend on transient watering from summer 

 showers. But it becomes more and more evident 

 every year that such a course will ruin the man 

 who follows it. The ill effects of the increasing 

 irregularity of the rainfall are mitigated, it is true, 

 by deeper ploughing and the construction of drain- 

 age works, but all crops (some more than others), 

 in addition to every other aid that can be given 

 them, will need besides, at certain times, abundant 

 watering. Even in the most favourable seasons, 

 resort must be had to artificial watering at inter- 

 vals, to secure the growing and maturing of a crop 

 such as to give satisfaction, and reward the gar- 

 dener for his labour. 



[25] 



