1 86 IRRIGATION FARMING. 



of a part of the water in the soil traversed. This de- 

 posit of fine particles is apt to a(5l as a cement to the 

 furrows and prevent proper absorption of the water. 

 It is possible by the very rapid use of water to cause it 

 to flow through the entire length of the furrows with- 

 out effecflually irrigating the soil. Tht novice at irri- 

 gation is almost sure to be surprised at the acflion of an 

 irrigating stream in the furrows in a soft, plowed field. 

 If the stream is very small, it may entirely disappear 

 in the first rod or two of the furrow. If the stream is 

 too large, it may carry away a considerable part of the 

 soil from the first few feet or few rods of the furrow, 

 and, as already stated, flow through without accom- 

 plishing the purpose of effedtually moistening the land. 

 A properly regulated stream should flow through 

 a furrow without becoming very turbid at any point, 

 and should progress continuously, though slowly, 

 throughout the length of the furrow. After it has 

 flowed for a time, varying with the nature of the 

 soil from a few to many hours, the land should be so 

 thoroughly irrigated as to make it, especially if newly 

 plowed, too soft to walk over without miring. Where 

 the soil is of open or porous strucfture and contains con- 

 siderable vegetable material, this thorough irrigation 

 may take place by the furrow system without greatly 

 changing the loose and flocculent nature so desirable 

 for the rapid growth of vegetation. This is the acme 

 of irrigation. Not every soil will retain this open 

 strudlure, even under the most skilful handling of 

 water. With many soils it is found that the effecft of 

 the artificial application of water is much like that of 

 an exceedingly heavy and dashing rain, solidifying the 



