18 The Bulletin. 



mains are laid on the ground to conduct the water from the point of 

 supply to the field where it is to be applied. From the ground main, 

 connections are put in, elevating the laterals about six feet above the 

 beds. The lateral pipes are run in lines down the alleyways between 

 the beds. One pipe will irrigate two beds. The pipes are supported 

 on 4 by 4 inch scantlings, notched at the top to hold the pipes in 

 place. Small brass spray nipples are screwed into the lateral pipes 

 at 4-foot intervals, Mr. Skinner gives the following directions for 

 the location and size of pipes for laterals: ''The pipes used are 

 ordinary water pipes (the galvanized is best), which may vary in 

 size from I/2 inch to 1^ inches, according to the length of the lines 

 intended to be used. For lines 600 feet long we have found it best 

 to use ll/2-iiich size for one-third the length of the line, beginning 

 at the feed-pipe end, one-third li/4-inch pipe, 100 feet 1-inch 

 pipe, 60 feet %-inch pipe and 40 feet of l/o-inch size. This will 

 give a uniform spray the entire length of the line." The smaller 

 sizes of pipe give as good results in distributing the water and, of 

 course, materially reduce the cost of the system. Where each dis- 

 tributing pipe is connected with the supply pipe is a globe valve, a 

 loose joint and a lever for directing the spray. By means of the 

 valve a bed may be sprayed or not at will. By turning the lever 

 slightly the loose joint allows the whole length of pipe with its line 

 of nozzles to be turned so as to direct the spray as desired on either 

 bed. Figs. 6 and 7 show the valve, lever and loose- joint con- 

 nection. 



To operate successfully the Skinner irrigation system, there must 

 be an ample supply of water, with sufiicient pump capacity and steam 

 pressure to force it from the nozzles into a fine spray. In time of 

 drought there should be a supply of at least 6,000 gallons per acre 

 per day. To supply the necessary power for irrigating, one should 

 figure on from 8 to 10 horse-power boiler capacity per acre. Irri- 

 gation water is best applied at night. 



Some growers make use of their irrigation systems for the appli- 

 cation of insecticides, fungicides and fertilizers taken into solution. 



WATER SUPPLY. 



For boiler purposes an abundant supply of clean, soft water is 

 desirable. In some localities this is not always obtainable. Surface 

 water, though usually soft, often fouls a boiler with mud. In most 

 rivers, lakes, creeks, ponds and other sources of soft-water supply 

 this difficulty is easily avoided by proper location and screening of 

 the intake. In deep-water supply the kinds and varying degi-ees of 

 hardness offer objections for boiler purposes that are much more dif- 

 ficult to remove than those of soft or surface water. For all purposes 

 the soft water of rivers or lakes is usually the most suitable. Where 



