453 IRRIGATION FARMING. 



Losses by Drouth. — Up to the present time little 

 has been done in eastern states with irrigation in pro- 

 ducing farm, garden, or orchard crops, but its great 

 value has been demonstrated in a few striking instances 

 by some leading fruit growers, and these, together with 

 the general interest that is being manifested in the sub- 

 jec5l, show the need of information such as is contained 

 in this work. Within the past few years a lively agi- 

 tation of the subjedl has appeared in the agricultural 

 press of the east, and farmers and small fruit growers 

 are beginning to appreciate the value of artificial 

 watering. In the eastern portion of this country the 

 intensive system of agriculture is rapidly replacing the 

 extensive. This has become necessary because of the 

 rapidly increasing population and a corresponding 

 increase in the value of lands. 



In the last fifty years the agriculture of New Eng- 

 land has been entirely changed. A system of general 

 husbandry has been largely replaced by special branches 

 of farming. The many thriving manufadturing cities 

 and towns that have been built have caused great de- 

 mand for fruits and vegetables. These produ<5ls have 

 proven especially profitable where markets are near at 

 hand. The high acreage value and the acflive and in- 

 creasing demand for fresh fruits and vegetables have 

 induced many farmers to enter upon the producftion 

 of these crops. It is in such lines of farming and 

 market gardening that irrigation has its highest value. 

 Where the cost of cultivation is large the losses from 

 drouth are felt all the more severely, for the ex- 

 penses are essentially the same whether a half crop or 

 a full crop is harvested. Losses of from $ioo to $200 



