CHAPTER IV 



LAYING OUT THE LAND FOR WATERING 

 DIFFERENT SYSTEMS OF IRRIGATION 



Irrigation methods naturally vary according to 

 the country, climate, and nature of the land. 

 Broadly speaking, there are three distinct systems 

 of watering: the overhead or sprinkler system, the 

 "check" or flooding system, and the furrow system. 



For irrigation on a large scale the overhead or 

 sprinkler system is yet largely in the experimental 

 stage. Theoretically, this method of watering is the 

 most perfect of the various systems, as it approaches 

 most nearly to nature's method of watering rain, 

 and gives a far more even distribution of water than 

 is possible on the furrow system. Land watered on 

 this system would not require nearly as much grad- 

 ing as would be the case if the flooding or furrow 

 systems were used ; and as the water would be 

 applied evenly on the surface of the ground, water- 

 logging of the sub-soil, with the danger of seepage 

 resulting therefrom, would be reduced to a minimum 

 if the water were at all intelligently applied. 



To water by sprinkler it is necessary that the 

 water should be conveyed, by means of cement or 

 iron pipes, to the place where it is required. By 

 burying the pipes in the ground, over which plough- 

 ing and cultivation could take place, more land 

 could be utilized for planting purposes than where 

 open channels intersected the land. 



The sprinkler method of watering has so many 

 advantages in its favour that it seems reasonable to 



