Usefulness of Irrigation

Gloria T. Bond                 Coles School
                               8441 S. Yates Ave.
                               Chicago IL 60617
                               (312) 535-5669
                    
Objective:
     
     To show that water is necessary for plant growth.  
     To show how a dam can turn a nearly useless water way into a valuable form 
      of irrigation.     
 
Materials:

     Lima beans                 Lima beans 
     Dry soil                   Soil
     Paper cups                 Paper cups
                                Water

     Dam
     2 plastic straws           Plywood 36 x 30                   
     pail
     2 catch pans
     2 flexible tubes

Procedure:

     Attempt to grow the lima beans in very dry soil.  After 7 days, plant some 
more lima beans in very rich soil and water regularly.  Compare the beans in 
size and growth development.  Keep a growth chart. 

     To construct the dam, cut pieces of 1/4 inch plywood according to following 
dimensions; front piece 36 inches long, 6 inches high, 6 inches wide, cut 2 
angles 9 inches from each end and 2 inches above the base.  To construct the 
back piece, cut 36 inches long, 12 inches high, 12 inches wide, 2 angles 8 
inches from each end and 8 inches above base.  Cut 2 side pieces, 30 inches 
long, 12 inches high slanting from 12 inches to 6 inches.  Cut 4 top pieces, 33 
inches long and 10 inches wide.  Nail the front, back and sides together.  Caulk 
joints. Cut triangle piece for dam.  Drill 2 holes in the triangular piece same 
size as straws.  With a straight pin, punch holes along one side of each of the 
two straws.  Plug one end of each straw.  Push the other end through the dam.  
Set a pail of water on a platform behind the model.  Put the 2 flexible tubes in 
the pail and let water run slowly into the troughs.  Water will flow right out 
of the trough without a dam.  A lake will form behind the dam and the irrigation 
pipes will take water to dry areas for watering of the soil. 

Conclusion:

     Plants must have water in order to grow.  Through irrigation pipes, water 
can be directed to dry areas where it is needed as long as there is a source of 
water such as a dam.