26 HORTICULTURE BY IRRIGATION. 



For small tracts (under close culture) of one, two, or even five acres, 

 the wind-mill, with large tank or reservoir connected, is now used in 

 different portions of the country for supplying water. In this case, iron 

 or cement piping, or wooden conduits, are employed for conveying the 

 water where desired. 



Wherever the Asbestine system is practicable, and a supply of water 

 amounting to from 25,000 to 100,000 or more gallons can be stored, by 

 means of wind-mill, steam pump or hydraulic power, a considerable tract 

 may be watered. Reference has heretofore been made to the fact that, in 

 one instance in California, three acres of young trees were thoroughly 

 irrigated in half an hour by this underground method, and with less than 

 3,000 gallons of water. This, of course, was under highly favorable con- 

 ditions. 



But the promoters of the Asbestine plan assert that an artesian well 

 with the capacity of 100,000 or 150,000 gallons daily, will readily supply 

 all the moisture required on a farm of 160 acres. This statement is given, 

 not for the purpose of intimating that this claim has been sustained, nor 

 to endorse the assumption that the system is practicable for the needs of 

 general farming, but with the sole object of illustrating the possibilities, 

 even of the artesian well, wind-mill or steam pump, with the right appli- 

 ances for distributing the water so supplied. Great improvements may be 

 safely anticipated in this direction, as well as in the building of mammoth 

 canals and gigantic reservoirs. 



