IRRIGATION OF THE GARDEN. 191 



richer the better, though comparatively poor soil will do. 

 After plowing and harrowing lay off in check rows ten 

 feet each way. At each check dig a small hole and put 

 in one or two forkfuls of manure, or throw out a double 

 furrow with the plow and then put the manure in the 

 checks. The pumpkin is a coarse feeder and does not 

 need the manure to be thoroughly rotted. Cover the 

 manure with three or four inches of earth, making a 

 perceptible hill. Sow four or five seeds in each hill as 

 soon as danger of frost is over. When in second or third 

 leaf thin to two plants in a hill ; and if the ground is 

 rich they may, with advantage, be again thinned to one, 

 when danger from the striped bug is over, about the 

 time the plants begin to run. They should be culti- 

 vated alternate ways every two weeks immediately fol- 

 lowing irrigation ; thus they will very soon completely 

 cover the ground, and so keep the weeds down them- 

 selves. No irrigation is needed after the pumpkin is 

 half grown unless the season is unusually drouthy. 

 Squashes, eggplants and gourds are handled practically 

 in the same manner. It is a good rule to recollect that 

 these vines require but comparatively little water until 

 in blossom, and the greater amount of irrigation should 

 be applied from that time until the fruit has grown to 

 half size or over. 



Sweet Corn. Sweet corn should be cultivated 

 and kept free of weeds, but irrigation must be delayed 

 if possible until the corn is in tassel. As soon as the 

 tassel begins to appear on the most forward stalks the 

 water should be turned in and irrigation made thor- 

 ough. The best method of irrigation is the furrow sys- 

 tem. This should be carefully arranged so as to prevent 

 the water running directly around the roots or stalks. 

 A healthy, well-developed tassel makes a good crop of 

 corn, hence care should be taken to prevent it from be- 

 coming stunted or killed from lack of water, also to keep 



