414 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



large storage tank. Wheels of large diameter are to be pre- 

 ferred, in order to utilize light breezes. 



Steam Power. — When water is wanted for a short time 

 on one or two crops which generally give good profits, some 

 form of engine and pump may be economically used. The 

 Wisconsin Experiment Station has watered a variety of 

 crops in this way, and has shown this method of irrigation 

 to be a profitable one. For crops like strawberries, rasp- 

 berries, and some vegetables which give large returns per 

 acre and require Avater only for short periods of time, steam 

 may be advantageously used as a source of power for pump- 

 ing. On many farms a portable engine might be profitably 

 rented for a few weeks during the strawberry season. This 

 is a time when farm engines are seldom wanted for other 

 purposes. Naphtha or gasoline engines of 5 to 6 horse- 

 power are economical of fuel, can be easily operated, are of 

 lighter weight than coal engines, and as a source of power 

 they are worthy of careful consideration. 



Application of Water. — The oldest method of distribut- 

 ing the water over the fields to be irrigated is by means of 

 small ditches. These can be made by turning a furrow with 

 a plow along the highest part of the field to be watered. By 

 having a number of lines of these ditches parallel to each 

 other along the slopes of the land, the water may be let out 

 on the lower side of the highest ditch and distributed over 

 the land between this and the next ditch, while the second 

 ditch will catch the surplus water. A man with a hoe 

 removes obstructions, and directs the water by opening small 

 water courses. With a little attention, the water can be 

 made to touch nearly all parts of the field. 



For crops like strawberries, when the Avater must be run 

 between the rows, these should extend up and down the 

 slope. Only a slight slope is needed to give free mo\ T emcnt 

 to the water ; from 3 to 6 feet for every 100 feet is better 

 than a greater fall. With a heavy fall, and especially if 

 the soil is sandy, serious Avashing will often result. In case 

 mulch is used on straAvbcrries, it is found to interfere badW 

 with the IIoav Avhen the Avater is applied by surface flowage. 

 If mulch is thought to be necessary to keep the fruit clean, 



