258 Success with Small Fruits. 



through pipes laid underground, beneath the plow, does not work well at 

 all, practically, and is not in accordance with nature. Most of the water 

 is wasted. 



" The only method," continues Mr. Philbrick, " of distributing water 

 much used in gardens, where pumping is practiced, is the system of iron 

 pipes laid underground with hydrants distant 200 feet asunder, from 

 which the water is distributed by 100 feet of India rubber hose. This is 

 also the plan adopted by gardeners who make use of the public water 

 supply." When practicable, such iron pipes should be carried along ridges 

 and headlands, so as to let the water flow where we wish it by gravity as 

 far as possible. 



" Where the water has to be distributed by hose and sprinkler, it will 

 be found good economy to use a powerful pump that will give a head of 

 at least thirty feet, and to use for distribution pipes of not less than one 

 and a half inches in diameter; provided, of course, that any considerable area 

 an acre or more is to be watered. Thus, for example, we will suppose 

 that it is required to water five acres of land, and that we have near by a 

 never-failing pond or river; we can locate a steam pump near the river, 

 and, while at work watering, we load the safety-valve upon the delivering 

 water pipe at fifteen pounds per square inch, which corresponds to a head 

 of about thirty feet of water. We have 300 feet of iron pipe, two inches 

 in diameter, and 100 feet of India rubber hose, one and a half inches in 

 diameter, for the delivery of the water. This apparatus would be capable 

 of delivering 45 gallons per minute, or 27,000 gallons per day of ten 

 hours enough for the thorough wetting of one acre per day, or every acre 

 of the five once in five days ; by running nights, ten acres could be watered. 



"When only a limited area is to be watered, less than an acre, the 

 wind-mill furnishes a cheaper source of power than the steam pump. To 

 make it available, large storage of water must be provided at a high level, 

 so that the mill may work during stormy weather and store the water 

 until needed. A wind-mill, costing with pump and tank about $500, will 

 furnish water enough for one or two acres of land, provic&'.l storage can 

 be provided for 200,000 gallons of water. To provide this storage might 

 cost as much as a steam pump. Where elevated reservoirs can easily be 

 made, and the amount of water needed is not over 10,000 gallons daily, 

 the wind- mill is, without doubt, cheaper power than steam." 



Mr. Philbrick shows conclusively that where a gardener pays at the 

 rate of twenty-five cents per 1,000 gallons, or even much less, only crops 

 approaching $1,000 per acre in value will warrant the outlay. When 

 land can be easily graded, and irrigated through canals and ditches, the 



