No. 4.] IRRIGATION. 405 



counterbalanced the deficiency in the yield. To-day, how- 

 ever, if there is a shortage in any crop in one locality, the 

 market, except in the case of perishable products, niaj 7 be 

 .stocked from long distances away, where the weather condi- 

 tions were perhaps favorable for large yields. The profits 

 obtained by local growers are thus largely dependent on the 

 season, and it frequently happens that the seasons of poor 

 crops, resulting from lack of rainfall, nearly or quite use 

 up the profits obtained in favorable seasons. 



The high price of lands in New England is a fifth reason 

 in favor of irrigation, because it is important that relatively 

 large profits be obtained from crops, in order to cover taxes 

 and interest. The high price of lands, together with the 

 changed demands of our markets, have caused a complete 

 transformation in the methods and in the leading branches 

 of farming. The intensive system of cultivation, where 

 market-garden crops and fruits take the lead, has almost 

 entirely replaced the older or extensive system, where 

 staple crops, like the cereals, were in the lead. The high 

 value of lands where truck and fruit crops are grown, to- 

 gether with the high value of such crops when grown, points 

 out the need of some form of protection against drought. 

 Many fruit growers have adopted spraying as an insurance 

 against damage by fungous diseases and insects ; and in the 

 same way irrigation may be considered as an insurance 

 against drought, which often pays good dividends. 



The sixth reason why irrigation should be more generally 

 used in New England is the natural condition of the country, 

 which favors its adoption. New England is an area of un- 

 even surface, and is cut by many small rivers, which are bor- 

 dered by fertile valleys. Into these valleys flow numerous 

 small streams, which make a rapid descent. In many in- 

 stances these streams can be diverted and carried along the 

 sides of the valley in such a way as to flood several acres at 

 very little cost. In other cases natural ponds can be tapped, 

 or small dams can be constructed and the water from the 

 ponds thus formed may be used. In cases where it becomes 

 necessary to lift the water, large-sized rams may be used if 

 sufficient fall for forcing the ram can be obtained. 



