188 IRRIGATION. 



root is the most profitable. This crop, if it is to be irri- 

 gated, is planted in slightly raised beds, between which 

 the water is flowed, so that it does not come in contact 

 with the bulbs. When grown for stock, beets and man- 

 gels may be more copiusly watered, until fully grown, 

 when water may be withheld while ripening is complet- 

 ing. 



Teasels. Although this is an uncommon crop, yet as it 

 is grown under irrigation, as a twin crop with winter 

 wheat, it is mentioned here. The manner of its cultiva- 

 tion is, to sow it in alternate rows, or drills, with the 

 wheat, or broadcast mixed with the seed. As soon as the 

 wheat is harvested, the ground is watered, and the irri- 

 gation is repeated two or three times, the same season, 

 and monthly the next season, up to a short time before 

 the crop is ready for harvesting. 



In concluding this Chapter, it may be as well, at the 

 risk of repetition, to observe, that in irrigation, the ob- 

 ject is to supply simply the natural wants of the plants 

 grown upon the land, and not to stimulate an undue or 

 excessive growth, merely because we may suppose that 

 we have the means to do this at our control. The pur- 

 pose is to supply nutriment to the plants, and not to 

 saturate the soil. The careful irrigator will study the 

 peculiarities of the plants he cultivates, and the character 

 of -the soil he works with, as well as something of the 

 natural laws of plant growth ; and apply his knowledge 

 to his business, carefully, systematically, and judiciously; 

 not proceeding in a hap-hazard or a "rule-of-thumb" 

 manner to deluge his soil with water, simply because he 

 has paid for a certain quantity of it. 



