FORTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT. 103 



ply of water was taken from the hose and it ran down tlie ditch withont 

 trouble. On the way back up the row the attendant dug laterals to allow 

 water to run between the plants. The water was supplied to the ditch 

 until the soil was thoroughly moistened and then the same procedure 

 was repeated in the next row. Irrigation was given during July and 

 August whenever the soil became very dry. As a rule it was used every 

 three days during the ripening period — the pickers alternating with the 

 irrigation. After the last irrigation the patch was thoroughly cultivated 

 to break up the lakes which fonned in several places where clay was 

 present. 



As you know, we had an extremely dry season until the middle of 

 August with few drenching rains occuring in the months of June and 

 July. As the early varieties ripened up into good sized and good quality 

 berries, it was not necessary to irrigate them more than once — but the 

 late varieties suffered from the continued drought and were ripening 

 very slow and irregularly. Although the water was gotten onto the 

 ground rather late the actual results were conclusive proof of the value 

 of irrigation, in this case particularly. 



It could be seen to a bush just where the water was supplied — in the 

 irrigated area every bush was vigorous — the new shoots were growing 

 strongly and the berries were large and tasty — while the uuAvatered area 

 of four rows width, showed plainly the lack of moisture, the berries were 

 small, hard and bitter. 



The irrigation was not expected to make a marvelous increase in yield, 

 but it was expected to increase the size of the berries and their appear- 

 ance and since these were secured, the outlay was justified. The market 

 demanded high quality fruit and all sold under the firm's trade mark 

 was able to meet the demand. 



The first cost and the running expenses of this simple system are sur- 

 prisingly low. The pumping outfit complete cost 'fl50, the Avell cost |15, 

 installation of outfit cost flO and pipe and hose brought the total for the 

 five acre plant up to |190. In figuring the yearly cost — depreciation is 

 charged at 12%., interest at 0%— fuel at 13.00 and labor |10, which 

 makes the cost of irrigation for one season about $50. 



The increase in yield, as determined by using the four check rows 

 which were not irrigated, was twenty crates, valued at $35 — 110 are 

 substracted from this to cover cost of handling and marketing the in- 

 crease in yield. 



It cost, then, $25.00 to insure the crop against failure due to lack of 

 rain — to secure good growth of new shoots, and to increase the size and 

 to imijrove the appetirance of the berries sold under the growers' trade- 

 mark. 



In summing up the results of this exi>erimeut in irrigation, three 

 things stand out clearly: 



1. Irrigation is most important as a means of cro^) insurance. 



2. While increase in yield should pay the season's bills, the profit 

 comes from the increase in quality as indica^ted by large size and good 

 appearance. 



3. Simplicity of the outfit, must be carefully considered in order to 

 cut down the overhead exjienses. 



