SUMMARY OF INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT 

 IRRIGATION.* 



Attention is called to the importance of preparing the ground before 

 planting, so that water can be readily run where desired. The land need 

 not be graded to a water level, nor so that it can be entirely flooded, but 

 should be prepared so that water will run easily. Occasional flooding is 

 rarely desirable, and is seldom practicable except on small lots. In all cases 

 avoid steep grades, where the soil washes badly, for the planting of fruit 

 stock. A gentle slope, all things considered, is best, and long rows are 

 preferable to short ones, when the slope is sufficient to carry the water 

 easily the entire length. If the irrigation is to be done from one direc- 

 tion or from one side of the land, let the main lateral be made along this 

 side, and sub-laterals be constructed down through the rows after planting 

 is done. These are usually made with an ordinary shovel plow, and, in 

 small gardens, with the irrigating shovel and line. For limited tracts or 

 grounds, a neat way of conducting water is by means of a box or flurne, in 

 the place of the main lateral, with checks or gates (and both where needed) 

 at the head of and opposite each sub-lateral, so that water can be readily 

 turned into them arid off when desired (see illustration on page 71). 

 This plan avoids the necessity of shoveling out and filling in the dirt 

 every time the rows are to be irrigated ; the simple raising and lowering 

 of each gate or check being all that 'is required. Where the land slopes 

 in opposite directions, it is often practicable to run water both ways 

 by means of a ditch running along the highest point. At times the lay 

 of the ground requires a mixed system, one of sections and cross-sections 

 in irrigating. In all such cases, the irrigator has to be governed by cir- 

 cumstancesin other words, to do the best he can. 



*NOTE The suggestions following, although applicable more or less to any sys- 

 tem of irrigation, refer more especially to the surJace or furrow methods. 



