404 BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



stirred. The average loss of moisture from the light loam 

 soil, not stirred, was equal to 1% inches, while the average 

 loss from the stirred soil was % of an inch. This means 

 that, in a given time, nearly twice as much water was evap- 

 orated from a soil left in a naturally compact condition as 

 from the same kind of soil when the surface was mulched by 

 frequent stirring. 



The fourth argument in favor of irrigation in Connecticut 

 is found in the high value per acre of many farm and garden 

 crops. The following table shows the range of value per 

 acre for some small fruits and market-garden crops, as given 

 by practical farmers, when these crops have not been irri- 

 gated : — 



Strawberries, ' $200 to $450 



Raspberries, ...... 200 to 400 



Asparagus, ...... 100 to 200 



Cauliflower, 200 to 400 



Celery, 200 to 300 



Onions, 150 to 300 



It will readily be seen that a loss of one-half on the value 

 of some of these crops, when five or six acres are grown, 

 would cover quite an outlay for water. Two men in Con- 

 necticut, who have made extensive use of irrigation, state 

 that the cost of their irrigation plants was returned the first 

 season by the increased crops obtained where water was 

 applied. 



With crops like strawberries and raspberries the increase 

 in crop derived from irrigation represents only a few weeks' 

 labor and a small expenditure of money. So great is the 

 gain derived from having an abundance of water for these 

 crops at the right time, that good profits have been obtained 

 by the use of a road engine and force pump. In many places 

 this form of power could be hired for a few days, and large 

 profits be obtained from its use. 



Before farming products were shipped by rail long dis- 

 tances, the prices obtained for the crop in an} r locality de- 

 pended largely upon the supply in that immediate vicinity. 

 If the season was not a favorable one for any particular crop, 

 and the yields were light, the increased prices obtained often 



