THE BEST SYSTEM OF IRRIGATION. 23 



be better, as grit and small pebbles would not be so apt to get in the plugs 

 to affect the discharge of water. 



I don't know of a single instance where I would prefer the old method 

 to sub-irrigation, except for corn and grain growing. As to expense per 

 acre (that's the place where the shoe pinches), this depends a good deal 

 on circumstances whether you want to irrigate orchard, vineyard or 

 garden ; and another big item is the price at which you can get Portland 

 cement. One barrel of cement and one barrel of dry-slacked lime, free 

 from lumps, will make about 350 feet of 2-inch pipe. By using seven 

 parts sand (must be clean), one part Portland cement and one part lime, 

 will make 350 feet of good 2-inch pipe; so you can easily figure for your- 

 self what it would cost per acre. 



