FOUR] WATER SUPPLY 
to hire all the work done. If he can do the work 
himself his outlay will be mainly for lumber, re- 
ducing the cost about one-half. 
It not unfrequently occurs, in our hilly states, 
that a farmer may dam a glen brook, and lead the 
water to his house, or to his barn, or both, at the 
same time doing more or less irrigating. I know 
one who has constructed a very solid dam, at an 
expense of about two hundred dollars. From this 
reservoir pipes lead the water down a swale, to his 
house and outbuildings. At the house he has es- 
tablished a hydrant, from which a hose, in case of 
fire, could cover his buildings with water. An- 
other pipe supplies a tank with flowing water, in 
quantity sufficient for a large number of cows and 
horses. The kitchen garden can be irrigated by 
leading a hose from the hydrant near the house. 
He can flood his celery when he pleases. A small 
strawberry bed has its paths a little deeper than 
usual, and these become irrigation ditches when 
necessary. “Does it pay?” “It certainly does, in 
half a dozen ways. ‘The barn supply alone, of pure 
spring water, would compensate for the cost of the 
dam; but, you see, my house is practically safe 
from fire. I carry some fire insurance, but I don’t 
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