IRRIGATION IN A SMALL WAY. 



By H. G. PRESCOTT, Albert Lea. 



There are two points to be considered in irrigation; first, to get 

 the water; second, how to apply it. I get my supply from a tubular 

 well, two inches in diameter, 142 feet deep, twelve feet in the rock, 

 the water rising to within twenty-seven feet of the surface, and 

 pump it into a tank on a tower twelve feet high. A pipe 1 inches 

 in diameter runs from the tank along the side of my garden. This 

 pipe is connected by couplings, every other one being a T for a f- 

 inch pipe. I use a pine plug to stop up tne hole until we wart to 

 use the f inch pipe. The f-inch pipe is used for side lines of pipe 

 and running the same way as the rows of plants. I also have twenty 

 feet of rubber hose, f-inch. and a nozzle. Now, if your cultivator is 

 arranged right the outside hoe will maue a small furrow just right 

 to run the water in. Run the f inch pipe line along the row to the 

 highest place and attach your hose, first taking ofi the nozzle. Lay 

 the hose lengthways of the furrows, and you are ready to turn on the 

 water. When the water has run the full length of the furrow, put 

 the hose in another furrow, and so on. If you want to spray or run 

 a stream of water on your plants, put off the nozzle. To spray, put 

 your forefinger on the under side of the nozzle close to the water, 

 and you *rill soon learn how to make a very nice spray. Your hose 

 will water all the rows of plants twenty feet each side of the pipe. 

 When that is done move the pipe to the next coupling in the main 

 line. 



I use horse power to do my pumping. Blindfold the horse, and 

 he will go right along without a driver. 



I sometimes spray the raspberry and blackberry bushes when 

 they are repining, holding the stream at the root of the plant for 

 an instant it acts like a shower. Evening is the best time. It is 

 cheaper to let the water flow, as one has to hold the hose all the time 

 while spraying. 



For cucumbers and other vines, make a good furrow near th e 

 hills; the vines will run over this furrow, but you can use it just the 

 same. 



