THE IRRIG TION A GE 43 



in yield and consequent loss if it occurs at a time when the crop is 

 making its largest development." 



The experiment conducted by Prof. Voorhees and reported in this 

 bulletin were for the purpose of determining whether irrigation during 

 these short periods of drouth would result in sufficient increase of 

 yield to pay for the works necessary to obtain the supply of water. 

 The tests were made on small fruits. Careful records were kept of 

 the yield of plats, which received identical treatment, except that 

 some were irrigated and other were not. 



The yields of the Irrigated plats over and above those not irri- 

 gated were as follows: Blackberries, 1,038 quarts per acre, worth 

 $93.42; raspberries, 329 quarts per acre, worth $32.90; currants, 852 

 quarts per acre, worth $85.20. The increase in yield would not be so 

 marked every year as in 1899. as the drouth of that year was ex- 

 ceptional. 



The bulletin contains detailed descriptions and statements of cost 

 for a number of small irrigation plants in New Jersey. All of these 

 are pumping plants. The cost of plants large enough to supply 10 

 acres of small fruits and garden crops has varied from $230 to $500. ' 

 Records of the returns from these plants have not been kept, but the 

 owners are all satisfied that their installation has been very profita- 

 ble, and in nearly every instance have stated that they have made the 

 cost of the plant in the increased crops the first year. 



So far as climatic conditions are concerned, New Jersey may be 

 considered typical of the whole eastern half of the United States. 

 Judging from the results reported in this bulletin, there is no question 

 but that irrigation for fruits and market gardens, even in regions of 

 abundant rainfall, is a profitable undertaking. 



The work in New Jersey is a part of an investigation of the prob- 

 lems of irrigation now being carried on by the office of Experiment 

 Station in different regions of the United States. Owing to the 

 greater importance of irrigation in the West, where farming is impos- 

 sible without its aid, the greater part of the work is being done there 

 Cheyenne, Wyo., being its headquarters. The results in New Jersey 

 show. that no agent of agriculture or horticulture is more effective 

 than water, applied when needed, and that the eastern farmer can 

 well afford to pay more attention to the subject. 



A limited number of copies of the bulletin will be turned over to 

 the superintendent of documents, Union Building, Washington, D. C., 

 for sale at the price affixed by him under the law. 



