DRAfXAGE AXD IRRIGATIOX OF HOME GROUXDS. 



291 



tree remains entirely free from insect pests, and stands 

 knife and ax well in pruning and shaping. 



The most propitous mode of propagating the catalpa 

 is from seed. It makes a splendid growth the first year. 

 Generally, the new growths come from the root, leaving 

 the seedling shoot above, as dead. This rather unprom- 

 ising appearance of the seedling must not be a source of 

 disappointment, for the new shoot will come up from 

 the root and grow finely. If worked or forced too late, 

 the shoot continues to grow too late for ripening before 

 frost, and the unripened wood cannot endure the exces- 

 sive cold. 



Heavy mulching is most conducive to the best results 

 of the cultivation of this tree. Mulching seems to stim- 

 ulate the growth, making it rapid and not too late. The 

 catalpa is a great absorber of moisture. Frequent and 



copious watering will prove highly beneficial, though it 

 also flourishes (but more slowly) when favored only with 

 nature's drinks of water. 



The tree presents a lovely sight, not only when in 

 bloom, but also when in early fall it is loaded with fruit 

 — great bunches of long seed-pods suspended from its 

 branches. It may not be amiss to mention here, that 

 these pods are a beautiful in-door decoration for winter. 

 If picked quite early they retain their rich green tint, 

 otherwise they turn brown and burst 



Two species of catalpa are native to this country, 

 Catalpa spcciosa, the best and hardiest species, is repre- 

 sented in the accompanying figures. This is also largely 

 grown for its timber value. Fig. 11 shows the form of 

 the thyrse or flower cluster, and Fig. 12 various views 

 of the flower. — Anna Hinrichs, Missouri. 



DRAINAGE AND IRRIGATION OF HOME GROUNDS. 



Hi ¥E SENDETH the spring into the valleys 

 which run along the hills ; He watereth 

 I I the hills from His chambers and the 

 laughing abundance by which the moun- 

 tains are crowned in consequence of it. The little 

 hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are 

 clothed with flocks ; the valleys are covered over 

 with corn ; they shout for joy ; they also sing." 



So sang one of the sweet singers of Israel. If the text 

 prove the better part of the discourse, it will be what has 

 often happened to preachers before. 



All cannot build their houses upon the rocks, nor upon 

 the sand ; neither can we always build upon a hill nor 

 upon dry ground, but we can make the ground dry. De- 

 fective drainage is the cause of the many ills of rural life. 

 Many diseases find their causes in that source. Of dis- 

 comforts so caused there is no end. Among reforms 

 needed it is certainly one of the first importance. Very 

 many luxuries are not attainable in country life, but the 

 comfort of dry ground by good drainage requires only 

 thought and labor. Being necessary to health and com- 

 fort should be argument enough to induce every rural 

 home owner to secure proper drainage where nature has 

 not already provided it, which nature rarely does, for 

 with the single exception of sand or sandy loam all soils 

 are improved in their healthfulness whereon to locate 

 homes, and also in their fertility, by drainage. 



Not being an engineer, I shall not enter into the tech- 

 nicalities of drainage. A few general principles may be 

 taken as established by science and experience, Tile 

 drainage, using round tile with collar joints, is best for 

 garden and lawn and for all fields where long roots may 

 reach the bottom of the drain. The tile should have an 

 opening at the head as well as at the outlet to maintain cir- 

 culation of air, as one of the great advantages of under 

 drainage is in the circulation of the air through the soil, 

 making it light and warm, and adding to its fertility. 



A century ago Thomas Jefferson, the leading horticul- 



turist of his day in this country, spoke of the fact that 

 "Air is the great fertilizing agent." 



The depth at which tiling should be laid, and the size 

 of the same,, depends upon the location and the quality 

 of the soil. Figures to suit in one cS.se would be mislead- 

 ing in another. The length of the purse will also enter 

 into our calculations. We must sometimes cut our gar- 

 ments in proportion to the cloth ; while at other times 

 we may robe the wearer regardless of measurements. 



Old Elkington taught our English ancestors how to 

 draw the water off their wet lands a century and a half 

 ago and Johnson quaintly tells the story of the wonderful 

 work. The English being, as they say, very "conserva- 

 tive," but as the Yankee would say, very "plodding," it 

 required many years to introduce the system ; yet the 

 lands round about Sherwood Forest, "The Dukeries," 

 are living examples of the efficacy of under-drainage. 



Fifty years after Elkington taught the gardeners how 

 to keep their places comfortable to the livers and wonder- 

 fully productive, Thomas Jefferson made a tour through 

 southern France and along the shores of the Mediterra- 

 nean Sea, then called " the garden spot of Europe," and 

 extended his tour through the gardens of England, which 

 he pronounced the finest in the world. Something, no 

 doubt, was due to the superior skill and industry of the 

 English over the Continental gardeners, and something to 

 their use of manure, but much was also due to the sub- 

 drainage and irrigation of their grounds. The skill some 

 of them displayed and the capital they invested in thus 

 improving their gardens showed that they fully appreci- 

 ated what Elkington had taught them. 



Home grounds and gardens are sometime so favorably 

 situated that the drainage can be utilized for convenient 

 stock water, for an ice pond, fish pond, and other pur- 

 poses, with but little additional expense. In some cases 

 there are streams of water that can be turned so as to 

 provide water for irrigation purposes. When streams 

 are not so available, the water can often be obtained by 

 means of hydraulic rams, wind mills and other compar- 



