264 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



among flowers, and nearly every description of kitchen 

 garden produce, receive liberal supplies of water during their 

 period of growth. It is the whole secret of successful culture 

 in many instances. The large strawberries which we often 

 hear of, weighing more than an ounce each, could never be 

 produced without liberal irrigation ; and the real excellence 

 of many vegetables depends upon the quantity of water with 

 which they are supplied. 



If such artificial watering is so necessary in England, how 

 much more important in our country, and during our hot and 

 dry summers, often without rain for weeks together? Not 

 that it should be indiscriminately done, without reference to 

 the growth or condition of vegetation ; but that at proper pe- 

 riods, and for certain crops, it should be far more liberally given 

 than is customary, even among our most skilful cultivators. 



It is a common error to apply water just when the plant 

 cannot take it up, and to withhold it when it needs it most : 

 thus newly planted fruit trees, whose roots are partially de- 

 stroyed in their removal, are often deluged with water till the 

 earth, soddened and soured, is rendered totally unfit for veg- 

 etation ; but if, through such abuse, they live and grow, no 

 sooner do they get well established and promise an abundant 

 crop, than all artificial aid is withheld — they can then take 

 care of themselves. Thus crop after crop is gathered, and if 

 the tree languishes under such treatment, the locality, or soil, 

 or something else is considered the cause. 



Every cultivator who wishes to reap the best results of his 

 labor in our climate, will therefore surely provide the means 

 for watering his plants. 



One of the best machines for this purpose is an Engine 

 manufactured by Messrs. Cowing & Co. of New York, as 

 represented in the annexed engraving, (no. 17.) We have 

 had one in use two years, and cannot see how we could have 

 done without one so long. It is of large size, yet easily 

 handled, and throws the water with such force as to thor- 

 oughly cleanse the foliage, and dislodge insects of all kinds. 

 From the size of the air chamber sufficient power is obtained 

 to enable one man to throw a steady stream of water to the 

 height of fifty feet perpendicularly. "With our newly in- 



