i$o AROUND THE YEAR IN THE GARDEN 



clippings, old leaves, straw, old winter mulching, and so 

 forth, can be utilized to great advantage for the same 

 purpose. 



The Gentle Art of Watering 



The simplest and most commonly used form of irrigation 

 is by means of a hose. But a hose outfit costs almost as 

 much as one for overhead irrigation, needs to be replaced 

 every few years, and requires a great deal of labor. By 

 overhead irrigation the water is applied automatically, 

 except for a few moments' work in turning the pipe every 

 half hour or hour. The outfit, consisting of galvanized 

 pipe and brass or nickel nozzles instead of rubber hose, 

 will last a generation. 



As a hose is more universally used, however, some sug- 

 gestions for applying water by this means may be given. 

 It is possible to do more harm than good by watering. If 

 you are going to water a crop at all you should do it thor- 

 oughly. A slight sprinkling on the surface, even if it is 

 given daily, is of little use, because it stimulates the growth 

 of roots near the top of the soil, where they are most ex- 

 posed to the effects of heat and dry weather. A thorough 

 soaking once a week is much more effective than seven 

 sprinklings. 



Water may be applied just to the soil or over the foliage. 

 In the former case the quickest and best way is to open up a 

 shallow furrow along the edge of the row and to turn one 

 end of the hose into it, letting the water run until the ground 

 is thoroughly saturated, and then throwing the earth back. 

 This saves labor and gets the water down to the roots. But 

 cover up afterward with pulverized soil, for if the water is 

 allowed to run on the surface the ground will cake, both 

 wasting water and getting the soil into bad condition. 

 When the water is applied over the plants and the foliage it 

 should be broken into as fine a spray as possible. A simple, 

 twisted-wire support, which may be purchased for a quarter, 

 will hold the nozzle in any position, and this will save much 

 time in watering. If the pressure is sufficient the ordinary 



