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Show TWO METHODS OF IRRIGATION Underflow dystem le Quite Olfferenrt From Sublmyatlon Advantages of the Former. (Hy K J WH'KHoN M A., professor of Aki iMilttni-. California Agricultural KxM-rlitifiii 8lHtlon.( Subirrlgation ia the application of water under th surface by a ayatem of conduits. It haa received ao much thought and outlay and haa returned ao little satisfaction that It must be looked upon aa a horticultural Ignis fatuiis. and only a passing reference nel be given to It. Varloiia available publications describe Ita different phases It seems fair to conclude that satisfactory growth la aecured with lesa water hy sublrrlgnt Ion than by surface distribution, but It la done at an outlay which la unwarranted either by the cost of water or by the value of the crop. Kesults of greenhouse experiments ex-periments are more satisfactory than those from opcn-nlr work. Kven If even distribution could be had from nny arrangement of underground pipes, which aeems doubtful In view of wide experience, It ait 111 remains true that for shallow-rooting plants In open soils the water Is applied at too low a level. It also apiears that the escape from the surface cultivation la of doubtful advantage, contrary to the claim of advocates of sublrrigatlon, and that thorough surface stirring, which la an Indispensable accompaniment of surface sur-face Irrigation, Is worth all It costs through the superior thrift which It Induces. It seems a fair conclusion from present knowledge that sublrrigatlon sublrri-gatlon Is practically unattainable bo-cause bo-cause of cost, lueipiallty of dlatrlbu-tlon, dlatrlbu-tlon, etc , and possibly would be undesirable unde-sirable even If these prohibitions were removed I'nderflow Irrigation la quite different differ-ent from sublrrigatlon, though tho former for-mer often goes In local parlance as "natural stihirrlgatlou." I'tiderllow Is a natural movement of water through the subioil outward from streams or downward from catchment areas toward to-ward the country drainage. Vndei.low Irrigation consists In reinforcing this How, or In Imitating It by bringing water to follow the same course of distribution It Is an available method, first, where the ground water la naturally near the surface nnd Irrigation water Is easily obtained In large quantities; second, where an open soil through whlrh water spreads rendlly la found resting upon an Impervious linrdpan, or slightly pervious clay, which prevents pre-vents loss of water by percolation. In both of theso conditions tho method of irrigation Is the same, viz, to open deep furrows at considerable distances apart and keep them filled with water for a considerable time, so that It may soak away In lurge ipiantltles. The addition will In tho first case raise the ground water no that It will rise by capillarity to the plant roots; In the second case the Irrigation water wa-ter will spread through the free toll, flowing along the surface of the hard-pan hard-pan or clay, and will thus become available to plant roots. These methods meth-ods are most apt to be useful with deep rooting tree and vegetables, but they are also used, where the conditions are favorable, for grains and garden crops. Shelter for the Brooder. If the brooder can be placed In a small portable house, It Is a good plan, as the brooder Is thus protected from stormy cold wind In the early spring; alao from heat Inter on. The house protecta the chicks from rain, and nerves as a roosting coop after they become too large to stay In the brooder. |
