15 



a slight fall, sufficient to carry the water slowly, and whenever irriga- 

 tion of crops is practiced about 2 inches are applied and the land is 

 immediatel}^ cultivated to retain the water. The cost of the water 

 does not exceed an average of $25 per year, and when three crops are 

 grown the average gross value is $1,500 per acre. 



GEORGE A. MITCHELL, VINELAND, N. J. 



The chief object of the year's work has been to perfect a low-priced 

 pumping irrigation plant, in which the water is distributed mainly by 

 gravity, but on occasion by sprinkling. The experience of the past 

 six years shows that for gravity distribution the most important 

 requisites are a large volume of water and the appliances neces- 

 sary to deliver it at just the right time. These requisites have been 

 secured in the past by pumping directly to the field with a 24-horse- 

 power gasoline engine and centrifugal pump, b}' which 100 to 125 gal- 

 lons per minute can be delivered at the highest point of land on the 

 farm. 



In previous j^ears the main pipe has been a homemade, tarred-cloth 

 hose supported on i)oles. The poles began to weaken in 1902, so 

 they were taken down and some 4-inch cast-iron pipe, taken from a 

 greenhoiTse, was laid for a main. Near the top of the hill, where 

 there was very little pressure, terra-cotta sewer pipe was used ; some 

 of this pipe was put together with Portland cement, some with oakum 

 and red lead. The water is pumped with the same engine and pump 

 formerly used, a little over 100 gallons per minute being delivered at 

 the top of the hill. This pipe is just enough below the surface of the 

 ground to allow plowing over it. 



To secure the two conditions mentioned, a pond holding 50,000 gal- 

 lons has been excavated at the highest point and the water empties 

 into this through the iron pipe. There are three outlets of 2-inch 

 pipe for letting out water when only a small volume is needed, and 

 one outlet of 8-incli pipe which supplies the larger portion of the land 

 to be irrigated. 



Having secured a satisfactory water supply for irrigation, the next 

 problem is the distribution of the water. The 10 acres which it is 

 desired to irrigate slope in two general directions. On the main 

 slope, however, there are two knolls, one of which has always inter- 

 fered with irrigation in two waj^s. The water must be taken to the 

 top through a long line of hose, and then if enough water is used to 

 wet the top of the knoll the low ground will be too wet. By moving 

 about 100 cubic yards of earth from the hill into the hollow both 

 difficulties will be done away with and water will flow 750 feet, ren- 

 dering 4 acres subject to easy irrigation by gravity. This work is 

 partly done. 



The other knoll mentioned is 2 feet higher, and there are fruit trees 

 growing on it. Although the same difficulties exist there that have 



