314 SUCCESS WITH SMALL FRUITS. 



" In the garden, I have had the best results where I have 

 let the water run out of open hose between the rows of 

 raspberries, strawberries, etc., always making it a rule to wet 

 the ground thoroughly, and then stop, and not apply any 

 more until there is good evidence of the soil needing it 

 again. A constant drizzle is detrimental to vegetation.") 



Mr. W. C. Strong said that the " even distribution of 

 water was very important ; otherwise, the ground became 

 sodden in places, and other parts received no benefit. He 

 thought that considerable part of the benefit of irrigation 

 arose from showering the foliage, especially at night, as in a 

 green-house." 



Mr. Philbrick said that he applied water in sunshine some- 

 times, but that in general he did not like to do so. (I 

 would caution the reader to be very careful about wetting 

 foHage under a hot sun, as it often causes both leaves and 

 fruit to scald. I once lost a crop of gooseberries through a 

 midday shower, followed by a hot afternoon.) 



Mr. E. P. Richardson had found a hose perforated with 

 holes an eighth of an inch in diameter, and about three or 

 four inches apart, very convenient for applying water. It 

 can be laid anywhere, in a straight or crooked line, and 

 under plants whose leaves are injured by watering in the 

 bright sun. Such a hose may be left for hours without 

 attention. 



In the garden at Kalamazoo already referred to, the 

 water was obtained by damming up a spring. " The water 

 was conveyed in a wooden conduit, made of two-inch plank, 

 and rendered water-tight by coal tar." The whole apparatus 

 was very inexpensive, and proves that in many instances 

 the ingenious and enterprising horticulturist can work out 

 a simple system of his own that, at slight cost, will answer 

 his purpose. 



