li-:tti:r of TR.\\sMrn.\L. 



T^. S. 1)?:pakt.me\t of Agriculture, 



Okfh'k of Expkriment Stations, 



WdslilNffto,,, I). ('., April 16, 1906. 

 Sir: I have the lioiu)!* to transmit herewith a report on Iri-iii;atioii in 

 the Xortli Athmtic States, by Au<r. J. Bowie, jr., of the Irriijatioii and 

 nraina»i;e Invest i^jat ions of this Oflice. This report shows tliat for 

 market gardens and Tor mea(h)\\s iriMi;'at ion in humid sections lias 

 j)roven profitabk', l)ut it lias n«>t yet been |)raeticed in the raisinii; of 

 <;eneral farm croj)s. Tlie eost of seeurinjj; water suj)plies in the East 

 far exceeds that in the arid re*3jions, althoiij!;!! water is much more 

 plentiful. This suti;^ests that it may be possible to so reduce the cost 

 of water as to render irrigation j)rofitable for many crops which will 

 not rei)ay tlie expense now incurred. The descriptions of irrii^ation 

 practice contained in this report sliould l)e sugi:;estive to many who are 

 now^ raisinj]^ truck without the aid of irrijj;ation, and it is therefore rec- 

 ommended that the report be published as a bulletin of this Office. 

 Respectfully, 



A. C. True, 



Director. 

 Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



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