IRRIGATION. 165 



IRRIGATION. 



\Ve embrace with pleasure the first opportunity since we received, by the pohtcnees of 

 Mr. Sherwood, the President of the New- York Stiite Aj^riciilliiral Society, a copy of its Trans- 

 actions for 1845, to lay before our readers the "PuiZE Essay on Irrigation, by J. J 

 Thomas." 



We have already taken occasion to remai'k, in reference to this subject, how surprisingly 

 the facihties for hn-igation are neglected in our countiy, in which, with plenty of water at 

 command, and with our hot suns, wonders might be produced in the way of horticulture. — 

 So well is this understood, as stated by a coiTespondent m the last volume of our Monthly 

 Journal, th;it in Euroiie a horse is kept constantly at work, between pumping water and 

 plowing in the garden. (See page 430.) By means of the hydraulic ram, so fully described 

 and illustrated at page 347 of the same volume, eveiy fanner who has a small stream of wa- 

 ter is enabled to convey for irrigation a constant cuirent con.siderably above the natui-al ele- 

 vation of the stream, at a trifling expense. The extension of its use in Baltimore and Hart 

 ford Counties in Maryland, lately, might be rcfeired to in proof of the utilit}- of this contii- 

 vance. Grapes, and other luxurious fniits and vegetables, may now be cultivated with suc- 

 cess ; and kitchen gardens, heretofore liable to be parched and bhghted in dry seasons, may 

 be made to produce in abundance the finest esculent vegetables. While indolence and folly 

 proclaim that there is notliing new under the sun, nor any avenue open to improvement, the 

 curious and spirited inquirer sees a boundless field inviting to hopeful experiment, and preg- 

 nant with new and profitable results. To such men every path presents its objects for inves- 

 tigation ; and iti the hope of some useful discovery, and new means of benefiting societj', 

 they find their ample recreation and reward. We shall never tire of holding up to the emu- 

 lation of all young men in the countiy, the studies and the works of the men w'hose annable 

 and usei'ul propensities lead tliem to prepare for the common vt'elfare such essays as the fol- 

 lowing : 



IRRIGATION. 



PRIZE ESSAY, BY J. .T. THOMAS. 



Its Utility. — The application of water to the surface of lands, for the promo- 

 tion of vegetable growth, has been practiced, in warm countries, from the earli- 

 est ages. Its indispensably essential use in ancient Egypt, and the great benefits 

 derived from its introduction, at a later day, into Italy, sufficiently established 

 its eminent utility. But, being less necessary in the cooler and more moist cli- 

 mate of Britain, it was afterward less extensively practiced in the system of Ag- 

 riculture witich spread to the settlements of America. The summers of the 

 northern and middle States are equal in warmth to those of northern and central 

 Italy ; but in copying the practice of Agriculture from England and Scotland, the 

 wide diflerence in the heat and dryness of summers has been too much forgotten. 



The great advantages resulting from a due proportion of moisture in the soil, 

 must be evident to every one, on a moment's reflection. Who does not know 

 that nearly all farm crops, during vigorous crrowth, are benefited by frequent 

 showers? Who has not noticed the great diminution in the amount of pasture 

 and hay, in potatoes, ruta-bagas, and other farm products, resulting from long 

 continued or unusual drouth? What farmer is ignorant of the fact that mead- 

 ows and pastures in wet or moist situations, or which are occasionally overflowed 

 by streams, are covered with a growth of herbage far heavier and more luxuri- 

 ant than the diminished products of dry and unwatercd uplands? Who, then, 

 can question, that during the heat and drouth of our summers, not unfrequently 

 quite severe, our root crops would be greatly assisted in their growth, and our 

 crops of grass double in weight, by artificial watering, through channels spread 

 over the surface of the land ? 



There appears to be but very few examples in this country, of well conducted 

 and systematic irrigation. A few, however, have sufficiently shown its advan- 

 tages. 



(35?) 



