51 
the better, for there is a great deal of lost pressure on 
account of friction in the smaller pipe. The capacity of 
pipes are to each other as the squares of theii diam¬ 
eters; that is, a 2-inch pipe has four times the capac¬ 
ity of a 1-inch pipe, and a 1 Vo-inch pipe is to a 1-inch 
pipe as 9 to 4; and on account of the friction theie is 
in reality even a greater difference. 
The upright from the main may be 1 Vi-inch pipe. 
Then a gate valve so that each line may be turned on 
or off independently of any other. Then a lVq-inch 
turner union and then the pipeline with the nozzles. 
This is a great system and soon will pay for itself many 
times over. 
At some additional cost water motors may be had 
which will keep the sprinkling pipe continually turning 
slowly. 
How often we should irrigate will depend a great 
deal on the weather and the texture of the soil. Some 
soils dry out much more quickly than others and on 
some days the evaporation is much greater than others. 
So no fixed rule can be given as to frequency of irri¬ 
gation and quantity of water. On an average, a good 
heavy soaking once a week will be about right. If on y 
a part of the garden is watered at a time, opportunity 
will be given for the cultivation of the other part and 
in this way the cultivation will not lag. 
With plenty of water, fertilizer and cultivation we 
will certainly make them grow if we have planted early 
and not too deep. 
FERTILIZERS 
The proper handling of fertilizers is a highly im- 
portant part of successful gladiolus growing, but on no 
other point do the “doctors disagree” so greatly. 
