482 UKPoKI (>l< OFl'K'K OK KXriCUlMENT STATIONS. 



of I ho wells, uiul irri<^-:itioii dcNolopiiH'iit Iroiu this .souici' ceased. 

 Within the last yeur or two a new system has been adopted. This is 

 tlic sinkin«( of small wells wliich cost from $J}(>0 to ii>()r»(i. These are 

 from 1^ to 2 inelies in diameter, are within the means of individual 

 farmers, and many of them arc now hein*^ sunk in this hasin. 



The work of l*rofessor (3rane included studyinof the methods employed 

 in the utilization of water from these wells and <;atherino-tlie exp(>riencc 

 of farmers rejjfardint^ the ])enetits derived from their use. The foUow- 

 iuir are some of the conclusions reached: 



(1) Irrigation can be practiced to advantii<^e during most of the years, 

 though there is occasionally a year when the moisture is suflicient and 

 properly distributed. 



(2) The salts in the waters and those drawn from the land ha\e not 

 thus far had any detrimental efl'ect, nor are there indications that they 

 will in the future. All cases of deterioration of the soil arc directly 

 traceable to the use of too much water. 



(3) Under irrigation the farmer is practically sure of a crop each 

 year. 



(4) In ordinary' or extra-dry 3'cars the crop is increased two and 

 sometimes threefold. 



(5) The crops are always of superior qualit}^, grading number one 

 when unirrigated crops grade number three or are even rejected. 



(6) A good 2-in(di well with a reservoir will furnish water for a half 

 section of land. 



(7) The main drawbacks are the lack of knowledge regarding the 

 handling of water in the tield and the too lavish application, especially 

 if soon followed by rain. 



(8) Experience seems to show that in many places irrigation is neces- 

 sary to start the grow^th of trees which, after once established, will thrive 

 without it. It seems to have been profitable with small fruits, garden 

 products, and alfalfa, but is not regarded with much favor in the 

 growing of small grain. 



One of the most interesting examples given b}'^ Professor Crane 

 was that of the Joy Brothers, market gardeners, near Huron. They 

 have about 100 acres under irrigation, storing the water coming from 

 a well in a reservoir covering about 5 acres, Avhich they fill to a depth 

 of 4 feet. The water is distributed through 4-inch tile, laid to grade, 

 with cement joints, so that none is lost. At intervals tees or elbows 

 are put in and cemented to short pieces of iron pipe, in which screw 

 plugs are placed. Water is carried from these plugs in open ditches. 

 Distributing the water in pipes has greatly increased the duty b}'^ pre- 

 venting losses from seepage and evaporation. The estimated cost of 

 applving water by this system is about ^1.25 an acre per year. The 

 value of the crops grown in this garden averages about $200 an acre. 

 Potatoes 3'ield about 2O0 bushels per acre; cabbage, 5,000 to 7,000 



