150 JOUKNAL OY THE EOYAL HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
taining five million gallons, plus the means of raising the water to an 
elevated tank commanding the whole place. This was successfully 
accomplished, and water from rainfall only is made to water an area of 
glass which, according to the water-rate paid previously, would amount 
to over £600 per annum. 
The advantages flowing from such a policy are very many. The 
superiority of rain water over that pumped from great depths, and neces- 
sarily of low temperature and very hard, is well known to the practical 
cultivator, and the result is seen in the crops. 
It cannot be too strongly stated that to successfully carry out the 
idea of saving the rain for irrigation purposes, the contour of the 
ground is of the greatest importance, and on any site upon which to 
commence horticultural enterprise, or indeed any industry, the con- 
sideration of the water question must have a first place. Although the 
data for arriving at a correct estimate of the rainfall are within the reach 
of all, and the principles of hydromechanics are inherent to the 
question, the carrying out of a scheme over large areas is one where the 
best expert advice is necessary, and in the end economical. The means 
of elevation to the required height is quite a special subject. There are 
so many ways it can be accomplished. The hydraulic ram on estates is 
very much used, but requires special conditions for its working. Wind- 
mills of remarkable power are now to be obtained working pumps with 
the lightest winds ; steam, oil, and gas engines, as also hot-air engines, are 
very generally used. The selection of the type of pumps to be used 
must always be a matter of careful judgment, and be decided by the 
special circumstances of the case with regard to the nature of the work 
to be done by them. 
On the whole question, it will, I think, have been seen that using the 
rain, being suggested by Nature herself, is a wide and essentially funda- 
mental question, affecting us as individuals in every position of life. The 
intention of this paper is not to promulgate any new theory, or to dictate 
any methods, but it may direct the thoughts of some, whether the humble 
cottager or the owner of a large estate, to the value of saving and using 
the rains which fall free from heaven upon us all. 
Discussion. 
Mr. E. Mawley, in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Kay for his 
excellent paper, said that some years ago he made a special visit to Mr. 
Kay's vineries and he was much struck with one particular detail. He 
noticed a man watering the vines with a hose in one hand and a watch 
in the other. He thought this a capital plan when watering with a hose. 
One plant is often given more water than it needs, and another less. 
There is no stint in the way of water, manure, or skilled labour in these 
large vineries, but there is on the other hand no waste. There is gene- 
rally a tremendous waste of valuable water in gardens and greenhouses, 
but where storage arrangements are adequate there seems to be a 
sufficient supply of water (in the shape of rain) for all purposes even in 
dry seasons. 
