IRRIGATION INVESTIGATIONS. 485 



was divided into three grades ))ased on size. Of the Silver King 

 varietx' the increase due to irrigation was 77.0 per cent; the ^^'hite 

 Portugal, 25.5 per cent, and the Yellow Danvers, 67.0 per cent. The 

 percentage of" large-size onions on the irrigated plats was still greater, 

 the difference in th(^ api)earance of the crops from irrigated and unir- 

 rigated plats being shown in the photograph. (IM. XXV, fig. 1.) 



WISCONSIN. 



A. R. Whitson, Professor of Agricultural Physics, Wisconsin Agricultural Experi- 

 ment Station, in charge. 



The ii-rigation investigations in Wisconsin have embraced studies 

 of the irrigation and drainage requirements of craid)erries. The State 

 stiition has provided for the carrying out of these experiments by 

 securing a lease from the Wisconsin Cranberrv Association of about!) 

 acres of land lo miles southwest of Grand Rapids. On this the asso- 

 ciation has ])lanted different \'arieties of vines, representing all those 

 gi-own in the United States and Alaska, as well as others received from 

 Norway, Russia, Sil)eria, and Canada. With these are 2 acres of 

 standard vines on which the results of applying different quantities of 

 water and putting it on and taking it off by different methods will 

 be studied. A small reservoir has been constructed and measurements 

 of seepage and evaporation have been begun. 



Success in cranljcrry growing depends on the proper use of water. 

 It nuist l)e applied at the right time and withdrawn (juickly at the 

 right time. At the outset the cranberrv growers of ^VisconsiIl made 

 no effort to provide for definite control over water. Jf nature failed 

 to cover the vines at the right time or uncovered them at the wrong 

 time the crop suffered. The severe drought of 1895 almost destroyed 

 th(» industry in that State. With its revival came better methods. 

 Dams are being )>uilt to collect the surplus water and canals constructed 

 to carry the water pumped from the streams; but with this develop- 

 ment have come new difliculties. More water is needed, larger 

 ditclu's are refpiired, and organization of water users to secure more 

 S3'stem in di'awing oil' water is needed to prevent the work of one 

 neigldx^r damaging those below him. Much litigation has been 

 caused by this lack of cooperative arrangements and b}' the construc- 

 tion of inadecjuate works. The work of this Office is to aid in the 

 organization of this industry, exactly as it is aiding in the organiza- 

 tion of the industry in the arid States, and the first thing needed is 

 expert study in the collection of facts and the aid of expert advice in 

 the foiiuation of plans. The work in that section is being carried on 

 along the following lines: 



(1) The follcct ion of data fi"om growers as to the amoiuit of water 

 used and their methods of applying it. 



