IRRIGATION OF THE GARDEN. 181 



required, for as the plants struggle for light they nat- 

 urally assume an upright position. The light is excluded 

 below and the self-blanching kinds become white and 

 tender. With so heavy a crop on the ground a great 

 deal of water is necessary. One gardener plants 6x6 

 inches each way, which gives a hundred and seventy 

 thousand plants to the acre, and the irrigation given is 

 two or three times a week. 



Beets. These need rich garden soil with plenty of 

 humus. Sow from March 15 to April 15. For first 

 early the Egyptian is all right, the Eclipse coming next 

 in order, the Blood Turnip variety still later, while the 

 mangel-wurzel, for stock feeding, comes last in plant- 

 ing order. We do not believe in the practice of irrigat- 

 ing the seeds before they germinate. Table beets may 

 be given more irrigation than is allotted to the sugar 

 beet, and for early growth they may be irrigated every 

 fortnight during rainless seasons. Cultivation the sec- 

 ond day after irrigation is quite as essential as the irri- 

 gation itself. The soil should be kept as mellow as pos- 

 sible, and it is well to have the rills located six or eight 

 inches away from the plants so that water may not come 

 in contact with them, as flooding is considered injurious. 



Radishes. This popular relish crop may be pro- 

 duced in greatest perfection by irrigation. Light sandy 

 loams well enriched are best. The first crop should be 

 planted by March 15, and others at frequent intervals 

 thereafter. Long scarlet varieties are preferable for this 

 planting. For general summer use the early, round, 

 dark red are good, and for fall and winter we sow the 

 Chinese Rose. It is best to plant the seed in rows from 

 sixteen to eighteen inches apart, and give an abundant 

 amount of water at all stages of growth. No root crop 

 requires more water than does the radish, and once a week 

 during dry periods is not too often to irrigate. Culti- 

 vate the same as for beets. 



