METHODS WITH IRRIGATION 63 



Ridge System of Irrigating and Planting. Another plan of 

 using seepage from permanent ditches is the ridge system by which 

 the water is run at a little elevation above the surface, upright 

 plants being placed beside the water on the top of the ridges and 

 running plants on the sides of the ridges with the lower ground 

 between the ridges for the extension of their growth. The general 

 significance of the arrangement lies in keeping the water supply 

 constant near the roots, and it is adapted to rather open soils in 

 which lateral percolation is deficient. The elevation of the ditch 

 thus helps to hold moisture near the surface on which the plants 

 are) placed without resorting to flooding as in the check system. It 

 is obviously well adapted to a region of very light rainfall and can 

 be laid out in a way to drain the ridges when surplus water has to 

 be disposed of. It involves a large amount of hand work. In a 

 locality where both summer and winte'r gardening must be largely 

 dependent upon irrigation it has striking advantages. The follow- 

 ing description is from a Kern county vegetable grower, 9 who 

 speaks from five yejars' satisfactory experience with the method : 



In preparing the ground make it as near level as possible, and cover the 

 soil with about two inches of manure (avoid coarse straw or stalks), and 

 plow this under six to eight inches deep. Then harrow and cultivate until 

 the soil is smooth and fine. Use a wire or line to lay out the ground ; spread 

 fine manure (well rotted is preferable) two feet wide and one inch thick, on 

 a line directly from your windmill or tank across the plat of ground. Take 

 a plow and turn two furrows together directly over the manure, making a 

 high ridge. Smooth and firm the soil with a rake or hoe, and directly on 

 top and lengthwise of the ridge form a ditch or trough about five inches 

 wide and three inches deep, on a grade so the water will run from one end 

 of the ridge to the other, connecting the ends se that the water will run the 

 entire length of all the ridges without any attention; or you can make the 

 ridges around the plat, which will enable you to distribute the water from 

 the ridge to any point desired by means of a small piece of pipe inserted in 

 the edge of the trough, always maintaining a uniformity of moisture, which 

 is absolutely necessary for the growth of certain vegetables. Run the water 

 through the ditch until it is settled and well moistened, then plant the seed 

 at the base and on either side of the ridge. 



Do not allow the water to rise up over the beds under any circumstances. 

 If the work is properly done the water will run through the ditches in the 

 high ridges and from their termination will continue from one trench to 

 another, till each bed in the plat is nicely moistened, and after once thoroughly 

 wet and settled it will not require more than one-half of the water it does at 

 first, unless the soil is very sandy and loose. Remember it is the small stream 

 long drawn out that counts and gives the best results. 



9 F. M. Reynolds, Delano. 



