22 SURFACE- AND SUB-II! RIGATH >N 



This system is a combination of both the sub-irrigation and 

 surface irrigation systems and the points claimed are : 



1. It is a great economizer of time in watering. 



2. It saves water. 



3. It applies water where the plant cannot but help receiv- 

 ing benefit from it. 



4. It is simple, practical, and inexpensive. 



EXPENSE 



This is the vital matter, and any system of irrigation will de- 

 cline in use should it prove to be beyond the reach of the aver- 

 age farmer. What is most desired at present is a system of 

 irrigation that will be efficient and at the same time inexpen- 

 sive. The reason, doubtless, that more experiments have not 

 been carried on in the eastern United States is on account of 

 the great amount of time, labor, and money required to put 

 forth proposed plans, — with the uncertainty of beneficial re- 

 turns. Where conditions do not favor the formation of a com- 

 pany for the erection of a reservoir sufficient for all, the individ- 

 ual must irrigate to the best of his circumstances. For this rea- 

 son surface irrigation by the furrow system is popular where 

 water is at hand, for many can give the great amount of labor 

 necessary but are unable to expend the money required for the 

 cement pipes, tiles, etc. 



The cost of the reservoir or source of water supply will be 

 the same regardless of the method of application. It is im- 

 portant that it be adequate for the area used, which for general 

 purposes is a minimum of eight hundred barrels per acre for 

 one good application in a dry time. If this amount can be 

 replenished by pumps, springs, etc., at frequent intervals, a 

 reservoir of this capacity will be large enough, but should the 

 operator depend upon one general supply, a proportionately 

 larger one will be needed. A wooden reservoir for any con- 

 siderable area would be quite expensive, and it will be only 

 where good returns are depended upon from small areas that 

 these are profitable. A 7,200 gallon reservoir at Durham, 

 made of cypress or Georgia pine, was built at a cost of ninety 

 dollars, which did not include connections and foundation. 



Natural reservoirs can usually be made at less expense and 



