GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 25 



barrels per acre. Stop cultivation when the proper time comes, 

 which ordinarily is also the best time to stop irrigation. 



MULCHING 



This is nothing more than another kind of irrigation in a 

 milder form. The mulch used retains moisture which in a dry 

 time protects the ground from drying out so readily, thereby 

 benefiting the plants. Mulched strawberries in the season of 

 1S94 withstood the drouth while others died ; also those 

 mulched and irrigated as well did not require as much water 

 and gave better results than those inigated and not mulched. 



Tomatoes mulched in 1S95 and not sprayed gave fully as 

 heavy yield, accompanied by a far less amount of rot. The 

 results from mulching depend more or less upon the season, 

 but it is believed we can well afford to give it more attention, 

 especially in our gardens. 



GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 



In order to obtain a comprehensive knowledge of irrigation 

 we must have a similar knowledge of drainage. There is 

 evidently a close relation between the two, and just how elastic 

 it is no one knows. There are many soils that perhaps would 

 be more productive were they tile-drained instead of demand- 

 ing artificial watering; others have a natural drainage and need 

 more moisture, while still others would yield better returns 

 with both drainage and irrigation provided. Soils differ in the 

 absorption and retention of moisture. Water held in the soil 

 by capillarity is better suited to supply the plant than free 

 water which flows under the action of gravity. The main 

 principle is that, whether naturally or artificially, enough water 

 must be supplied, but not so much that it will stagnate and 

 induce conditions unfavorable for plant growth. 



The conditions for practical success in irrigation are as 

 follows : 



1. Reservoirs of good water, natural or artificial. 



2. A sufficient descent from the reservoirs to the place of 

 distribution ; the more pressure, the better. 



3. Proper soil. 



4. Experience and good judgment in application. 



