260 Success with Small Fruits. 



open hose between the rows of raspberries, strawberries, etc., always making 

 it a rule to wet the ground thoroughly, and then stop, and not apply 

 any more until there is good evidence of the soil needing it again. A 

 constant drizzle is detrimental to vegetation.") 



Mr. W. C. Strong said that the " even distribution of water was very 

 important ; otherwise, the ground became sodden in places, and other parts 

 received no benefit He thought that considerable part of the benefit of 

 irrigation arose from showering the foliage, especially at night, as in a 

 green-house." 



Mr. Philbrick said that he applied water in sunshine sometimes, but 

 that in general he did not like to do so. (I would caution the reader to be 

 very careful about wetting foliage under a hot sun, as it often causes both 

 leaves and fruit to scald. I once lost a crop of gooseberries through a 

 midday shower, followed by a hot afternoon.) 



Mr. E. P. Richardson had found a hose perforated with holes an 

 eighth of an inch in diameter, and about three or four inches apart, very 

 convenient for applying water. It can be laid anywhere in a straight or 

 crooked line, and under plants whose leaves are injured by watering in the 

 bright sun. Such a hose may be left for hours without attention. 



In the garden at Kalamazoo, already referred to, the water was 

 obtained by damming up a spring. " The water was conveyed in a 

 wooden conduit, made of two-inch plank, and rendered water-tight by coal 

 tar." The whole apparatus was very inexpensive, and proves that in many 

 instances the ingenious and enterprising horticulturist can work out a 

 simple system of his own that, at slight cost, will answer his purpose. 



This chapter aims at little more than to put the reader on the right 

 track for further investigation, and to suggest a few of the first principles 

 and requirements of irrigation. The great majority have little realization 

 of the amount of water required, and very often much loss is incurred and 

 injury caused by attempting artificial watering with an insufficient supply. 

 Mr. Dunkley, at Kalamazoo, started with a wind-mill, but found it wholly 

 inadequate. Partial watering is worse than useless. By liberal mulching, 

 very much less water is required, and much longer intervals between 

 irrigation may elapse. 



If one designs to undertake irrigation upon a large scale, he should 

 employ the services of an expert, and "make haste slowly." At the same 

 time, many fruit farms are so located, or might be, that a laborer with a 

 pick and shovel could solve the problem of an abundant supply of water. 



When unfailing moisture can be maintained, and plants are not permit- 

 ted to bear in June, nor to make runners, almost a full crop may be 

 obtained in the autumn. 



