CHAPTER XI. 

 METHODS OF APPLYING WATER. 



^T^ HE methods of irrigation in vogue are as varied 

 ^ *• I as the topography of the country. So much 

 ^HBltM] depends upon the proper appHcation of water 

 that the pradlice of irrigation often results in 

 failure unless it has received careful consideration and 

 study. The amount of water a crop should receive, 

 the time in its development to obtain the best results, 

 the methods of applying water to different crops, 

 together with that skill in accurate and economical 

 manipulation which comes through pracftice and experi- 

 ence, are some of the important considerations. 



It has been found that pradlically a 70 per cent, 

 saturation of the soil will give the best results. 

 Speaking in a broad way, a soil will retain its own bulk 

 — not its own weight — of water, some soils more and 

 some soils less. Now if fully saturated, and wheat, 

 rye, orchards and vineyards are planted, they will not 

 grow. But if the soil is given 70 per cent, of the water 

 which it can take up, so that there is circulation of 

 water and air within the soil, then the plants can take 

 their almost infinitesimal drinks of water and grow 

 with the greatest rapidity. The soil carries this water 

 up to the plant and the plant uses part of it and evap- 

 orates it into the air. 



Evenness of distribution is important. For in- 

 stance, if there is twice the amount of water on one 

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