174 The Principles of Vegetable- Gardening 



either irrigating or fertilizing. The in tenser the crop- 

 ping, the more the capital invested, the better the 

 market, the more likely is irrigation to pay. Ordinary 

 crops will not pay the cost and risk of irrigation in 

 the East. The feasibility of it will depend, also, on 

 the lay of the land, the availability of water, the price 

 and supply of labor, the character of the given climate. 



Most vegetable -gardeners in the East do not find 

 it profitable to irrigate. Now and then a man who has 

 push and the ability to handle a fine crop to advan- 

 tage, finds it a very profitable undertaking. It is all a 

 local and special problem in the humid climates. If one 

 contemplates putting in an irrigating plant, he should 

 visit a garden in which one is in operation, if possible. 

 He should buy a special book on the subject. 



In general garden operations, the water is applied 

 on the surface, in the furrows between the rows. The 

 main conduits — which may be ordinary wrought-iron 

 water pipes — are carried along the highest land. At 

 intervals, hose -bibs are provided, so that a rubber hose 

 can be attached and the water conveyed into the fur- 

 rows. When box sluices are provided, there may be 

 openings or water-gates opposite the furrows. If iron 

 pipes are used, faucets must be provided at the lowest 

 point of the run and in the sags for the purpose of 

 emptjdng the pipe of water in the fall. The water 

 supply must be ample, for when irrigation is most 

 needed, the air is dry and hot and evaporation is 

 rapid. The aim should be to convey the water in 

 narrow streams or furrows close to the plants, rather 

 than to cover the entire space between the rows. 



