1 6 HORTICULTURE BY IRRIGATION. 



This much, however, should be recognized : that there is a vast differ- 

 ence between a system of distributing water and that of rightly applying 

 it to land. For example, there might be perfect harmony of views upon 

 the proposition that the best arrangement for conveying water would be 

 that which would accomplish the work most expeditiously and neatly, 

 with the least loss from any cause, either from seepage, evaporation or 

 thelike, and at a cost consistent with a judicious expenditure of money; 

 and yet it would not follow that there must be the same agreement as to 

 the proper manner of applying this water to the land. There is clearly a 

 wide difference here, which will be better understood in the future than it 

 is now. The one simply involves the point as to what would be the most 

 economic expenditure of money, all things considered. The other fea- 

 ture goes farther and requires a knowledge of the needs of* the soil and 

 of the crops growing or to be grown thereon. It also demands an under- 

 standing of the effect of using water in various ways, whether by 

 flooding, furrow irrigation or by some form of sub-irrigation. In other 

 words, it means reducing the matter to a scientific basis. 



This will be the system of the future. 



As to the merits of the various methods of irrigation, from the 

 knowledge I have been able to obtain, both from study, observation and 

 practical experience, I do not hesitate to pronounce in favor of some form 

 of sub-irrigation, for most horticultural products. To my mind the 

 evidence is cumulative and most abundant, that this way of using water is 

 not only correct in principle, but is the most economic, effective and whole- 

 some. The prime aim, under any system of cultivation, or irrigation, 

 should be to stimulate and induce " capillary action " in every possible way. 



It is a fact conceded by every observing cultivator of the soil, that 

 the finest and best crops and most satisfactory results in every way are 

 obtained from those lands where there is free, constant and uniform 

 moisture diffused from below. Soils differ with respect to the workings 

 of capillary attraction, but it is more or less potent in all land. 



Three years since Hon. Alfred Deakin, M. P., chairman of the Royal 

 Commission on the water supply of Australia, made an able and compre- 

 hensive report on American irrigation, in which he refers to the peculiar 

 property possessed by many soils (capillary attraction) as forming a most 

 important factor in all calculations as to the limits of irrigation. Mention 

 is made of the fact that in California fas shown by experiments) water 

 rises rapidly in coarse, sandy soils, but only to a moderate hight ; while in 



