10 SURFACE- AND SUB-IREIGATION 



in 1S94, more was raised on three acres of irrigated land than 

 upon twenty not irrigated. Strawberries were " a wonder to 

 all who saw them"; cabbage plants made heads k 'too large 

 to suit the grocervman to sell at retail." Irrigation allowed 

 double cropping ; after the corn, the ground was given up to rye, 

 which was sown during the last cultivation of the corn and 

 which gave excellent green pasturage for cows and sheep until 

 late in the season. Mr. Bailey says : "As now controlled and 

 utilized for irrigation, at a low estimate, we consider it worth 

 more to us than an investment of $5,000 at six per cent, annual 

 interest." 



I know of one instance where a farmer has taken advantage, 

 of a natural spring, which comes out of a bank. By excavat- 

 ing slightly and building a rough stone work about it, he has 

 sufficient water for his barn-yard stock, which drink from a 

 trough into which the overflow runs, — and for a small garden. 

 It also supplies ice for his own use. A unique method of irri- 

 gation was called to my attention last summer by a lady who 

 had devised it. It was nothing more than old eaves-troughs 

 extending from the house to the cucumber patch in the garden, 

 which carried the superfluous water of the kitchen to assist the 

 cucumbers. 



These are but few instances; many more could be cited. 

 Two prominent farmers, whom I know, have each backed up 

 small streams for fish ponds in summer and for ice in winter. 

 In both cases these are at sufficient elevation to irrigate nearly 

 half their farms, should they enlarge their capacity ; but I 

 doubt if the farmers have ever thought of doing it. 



ECONOMY OF WATER 



The object of all systems of irrigation is to place water at the 

 service of the plants, and that system which does this most 

 effectively, and at the same time is most economical, is the 

 best. With the flooding or furrow systems of irrigation it is 

 estimated to be a day's work for one man to irrigate from one 

 to five acres ; and in order to prevent loss from evaporation 

 this system demands excessive cultivation. Even then the loss 

 is great. 



With the latest, or sub-irrigation, method, which has been 



