114 THE NEW AGltlCULTUKE. 



containing so much of knowledge and combining so many attrac- 

 tions, should be within reach of all classes. Mr. Roe's book is one 

 of three hundred pages, six only of which are devoted to the sub- 

 ject of irrigation, and brief as is the chapter treating of it, the 

 author makes apology for devoting even so much space to consid- 

 eration of a matter ere long to be recognized as one of paramount 

 importance. At the opening of the chapter on irrigation he says: 



" This is a topic on which a book might be written." 



If Mr. Roe will look into our system, perhaps he will be in- 

 clined to write another book. Sincerely do we wish he would do so, 

 since there is a recognized charm about his writings making the 

 dullest subject one of interest. 



" The question, as we shall consider it," says Mr. Roe, "is a practical 

 one. In California and other sections, the land must be irrigated; 

 here, and where the rainfall is more equally distributed through- 

 out the year, we can water if we find the practice remunerative." 



Mr. Roe quotes Mr. W. D. Philbrick as saying: 



" The amount of water required will depend largely on the rain- 

 fall, velocity of the wind, atmospheric humidity, soil, etc. A loose, 

 sandy soil will require much more water than a retentive clay. In 

 general, however, it may be assumed that, in the warm growing 

 months of May, June, July, August and September, most vegeta- 

 tion requires an inch in depth over the entire surface of the land 

 every five days. This is, of course, only an average. This quan- 

 tity, estimated as needed by our gardens, would be equivalent to 

 six inches per month of rainfall. If we compare this amount with 

 the actual rainfall, we shall arrive at an idea of what is to be sup. 

 plied artificially. The rainfall at Boston for the past six years 

 1873-1878, for the five growing months named, varied from a max- 

 imum of 10| inches in August, 1872, to a minimum of 0.65 inch, in 

 June, 1873. During these six years there was not a single season 



