14 GARDEN STEPS 



high ; but no cutting tool was handy, so it was left. 

 The only objection to the height is that it causes 

 an unnecessary pressure of water as it leaves the 

 holes, where it might wash away the dirt somewhat. 



The pipe required to water an ordinary kitchen 

 garden need not be very long. The pipe in the 

 illustration is twenty feet, two lengths, five feet 

 apart. This supplies plenty of water to those plants 

 that need it most. For a larger space more pipe 

 could be laid, connected in one system, with a single 

 tub as a reservoir. 



When the ground is ready to plant, open a trench 

 about a foot deep. Lay in the pipe with the holes 

 down, so that the upright piece stands erect. Then 

 fill in the earth again. 



The paint kegs, used as shown in the picture, 

 make excellent reservoirs. For the inch pipe, a 

 hole measuring a trifle less than an inch was bored 

 in the bottom of the keg, which was then screwed 

 snugly on to the inch pipe. 



If two or three pails of water are poured into these 

 pipes every night during hot, dry weather, the 

 plants will be well supplied with moisture. 



A more expensive, but more desirable, way to 

 irrigate is by means of porous drainpipe. This 

 should be laid in trenches about a foot under 

 the surface, and, if necessary, will provide not only 

 for irrigation but for drainage. Clay pipe is used 

 extensively in draining fields, as the water soaks into 



