142 AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURE. 



by means of chatties. The arrangement answers best 

 when the crop is grown to some extent, and is then in 

 danger from dry weather. The tins, each having two or 

 three small holes punched in the bottom, are set out 



Helpful When Water is Scarce. 



amongst the growing vegetables. At nightfall, and again 

 during the day, the tins are filled, and the water enters the 

 earth slowly. The rate of distribution can be regulated by 

 settling the tins deep or shallow into the soil. But, simple 

 and crude though the arrangement may look, it has been 

 the means of keeping up supplies of vegetables where, 

 without this help, there could have been none. Self-help 

 is the lever of success in agriculture. 



Sub-Irrigation. Some acres of drain pipes have been 

 laid down on the Government ground at Rookwood, for 

 combined drainage and sub-irrigation. For the latter 

 purpose the pipes can be filled from the highest level, so 

 that by closing up the outlet, the water may rise to 

 the roots of grass, field, garden, or orchard crops. 

 There is also another plan available for making the most 

 of waste water, or where small quantities only are 

 available. A box is fitted in a convenient place, and 

 from the box pipes are put down so that garden stuff 

 can be grown over them, the roots being supplied in this 

 way. 



What Experience Says. Irrigation for crops can be 

 successful only where the soil is thoroughly drained, either 

 naturally, by having an open sub-soil, or artificially by 

 means of drains. California, Colorado, Utah, and other 



