82 IRRIGATION. 



This arrangement makes ifc necessary that the ground 

 should slope slightly in one direction. The method of 

 watering by pipes laid upon the surface, or by hydrants, 

 which have been already described, may easily be applied 

 to the culture of this vegetable. This crop is one that 

 needs but very moderate irrigation. 



Beans. This crop requires to be planted in beds, ar- 

 ranged as shown in figs. 7 and 8, and can be cultivated in 

 long succession by means of irrigation. It will stand a good 

 deal of moisture, especially when grown to use green as 

 " snap beans " which should be fresh and succulent. The 

 periods of irrigation should be at intervals of five to 

 seven days. Lima beans need equally frequent waterings. 



Corn. This is a plant which needs much moisture, 

 and the watering may be both copious and frequent. It 

 may be planted in hills or drills, in either case the system 

 of beds or of alternate drills and furrows, which are fed 

 from a distributing canal at the head of the bed or drills, 

 may be used. 



Cabbage. This crop is cultivated in beds to which the 

 water is supplied by furrows, made with the hoe after 

 each cultivation. It is a greedy feeder and responds 

 quickly to the application of liquid manure. Heads of 

 enormous size have been thus grown, and specimens of 

 60 pounds in weight have been frequently exhibited that 

 were produced by irrigation with liquid manure. It 

 will submit without complaint to much moisture if the 

 soil is cool ; how it would behave under our hot suns, 

 when stimulated by excessive irrigation, is something 

 that is yet to be learned. In Florida, however, it thrives 

 well when supplied with sufficient moisture ; in central 

 Europe, where the market gardener irrigates all his crops, 

 the cabbage is only moderately watered, doubtless lest it 

 might be stimulated to run to seed ; but where the 

 character of the soil and climate are favorable, and abun- 



