14 



the crop and the method. In the fall he waters celery, even though 

 he has showers every other day. He has no data concerning the cost 

 of plant or of the labor involved. The expense, other than labor, 

 when the plant is in full operation is- equivalent to 1 ton of coal per 

 day. He believes thoroughly in the advantages of irrigation and 

 knows that it pays. 



DAVID ASTLE, VINELAND, N. J. 



The plant of Mr. Astle is located on the sandy soils of Vineland, 

 N. J., and illustrates nicely the advantages of irrigation for such 

 soils and for general market crops, including potatoes, beets, onions, 

 tomatoes, celery, Lima beans, cabbage, etc. His supply of water is 

 drawn from driven wells and is pumped into a tank and from thence 

 distributed and applied by means of pipes and movable sprinklers. 

 A form of sprinkler has been devised by Mr. Astle which is well 

 adapted for use on level ground. The supply pipes run along one 

 side of the field to be irrigated, and lateral pipes are attached at dif- 

 ferent points. A long pipe, supplied at intervals with spraying noz- 

 zles and extending across the field, is supported at a distance of about 

 6 feet from the ground by means of a framework and wheels. (PI. I, 

 fig. 2.) This is connected with the lateral pipe by means of a rubber 

 hose, so that it can be pushed across the field. The ground is watered 

 to the limit of the hose, when it is uncoupled and attached to the 

 next tap on the lateral pipe, and so on. Mr. Astle began irrigating 

 in 1899, trying it on an acre of cabbage. This was so successful that 

 in 1900 he watered cabbage, potatoes, beets, onions, and other crops, 

 with good results. A hayfield alongside of the irrigated plats received 

 some of the water from these plats, and the crop was fully twice as 

 heavy as that on the rest of the field. Irrigation has been continued 

 with great success every year since. In 1903, on one plat of 1| acres, 

 Irish potatoes were grown first, followed by early celery. The total 

 value of the two crops is estimated to have been about $800. This, of 

 course, was not accomplished without heavy manuring, although it 

 shows the possibilities of this light land when abundantly supplied 

 with water. 



F. W. KILBOURNE, NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J. 



This plant is located within the limits of the city of New Brunswick. 

 The suj)ply pipe from the pumping station to the city reservoir runs 

 through the farm. This pipe is tapped and water obtained direct 

 from the reservoir at a cost of $1 per thousand feet. The area under 

 irrigation is from 2 to 3 acres and is under intensive cultivation. 

 Early cabbage, cauliflower, beets, onions, celery, spinach, and lettuce 

 are chiefly grown. The land is always thoroughly saturated previous 

 to setting plants, and irrigated afterwards as needed. The furrow 

 system is used except for lettuce, which is sprinkled. The land has 



