84 IRRIGATION. 



worthy of note as showing how refuse matter may be 

 applied in a similar manner to garden crops. The irri- 

 gation of beets, although it may be profusely applied 

 upon light, deep, and well drained soil, must be done 

 with proper moderation upon soils that are retentive and 

 not well drained. Only so much water must be used as 

 to keep the soil fresh, moist, and mellow, and it will be 

 safest to irrigate such soils as these more moderately and 

 oftener than those of a loose, open, sandy character. 



Carrots. This crop has been found to thrive exceeding- 

 ly well under irrigation upon light soils. A succession 

 of crops may be grown throughout the whole summer, 

 and by the use of some active artificial fertilizer, the 

 growth "is rapid and remarkably clean and healthy. Upon 

 clay soils this and other deep-rooted crops do not thrive 

 very well, and more shallow-rooted crops should be 

 chosen. When irrigated, the carrot is cultivated in rows 

 upon the flat, the water being led to the plants in chan- 

 nels made by the hoe in the intervals between the rows. 

 It is very common in garden culture to plant carrots for 

 a late crop in rows between other and earlier ones, by 

 which the tender young plants are shaded and protected 

 from the heat. 



Sweet Potato. This crop is planted in broad, flat beds 

 slightly raised above the level, and the water is flowed into 

 the furrow between the beds. Upon the light soils, in 

 which the crop succeeds best, the waterings are given 

 copiously at intervals of from five to seven days. The 

 abundant foliage requires a good supply of water. The 

 system of rounded or doubly sloping beds, described 

 on page 41, in which the water is carried along the crown 

 of the bed, is well adapted to the culture of this root. 



Onions. This crop is grown very successfully under 

 irrigation, and water may be copiously applied. The ex- 

 cellent quality, mild flavor, and extraordinary size of the 



