How to manage a Garden 



there is every reason why the work should be taken in hand 

 at once. There is much that might be done in this 

 direction without going to any great expense, and this has 

 been already hinted at in a former chapter. The water 

 from houses, sheds, greenhouses, frames, &c., is too often 

 considered too trifling a matter to merit attention, although 

 by the expenditure of nothing but labour much use may be 

 made of this water, and if not altogether sufficient for the 

 needs of the plants will at least go a long way towards 

 meeting the demand. For the purpose of getting a water- 

 supply in this way it is of course necessary that there be a 

 fall from the buildings from which it is obtained to the 

 garden. Given this, a large tub should be placed beneath 

 each water pipe to catch the water from the roof. At the 

 top should be affixed a pipe which will take off the overflow. 

 Now it matters little how the water is taken to the garden, 

 provided it gets there, the method of distribution being 

 primarily governed by means and other prevailing circum- 

 stances. For ease and effectiveness either galvanised pipes 

 or ordinary drain pipes will suit admirably ; but where ex- 

 pense bars their use, and in the case of short distances, the 

 water may well be conveyed by forming a trench and making 

 a kind of water-course of rough stones. The manner of 

 distribution around a kitchen garden is shown in Fig. 3, 

 page 30, and need not be again mentioned. As, however, 

 in the case of a garden of considerable size this method of 

 water-supply is very primitive, and not to be considered at 

 all equal to the necessities, we must discuss other means. 

 Of course if water can be obtained from a higher point by 

 gravitation, the matter is greatly simplified. Unfortunately 

 for the owner such a position for a holding cannot always be 

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