No. 4.] IRRIGATION IN MASSACHUSETTS. 153 



than $100 for a period of ten years, or about $1.43 per acre per 

 year. The increase of the crop due to irrigation was estimated to 

 be 2 tons per acre per year. With such cost and results as these 

 the use of water for irrigating mowings becomes a very attractive 

 proposition. The general farmer will probably never irrigate much. 

 It is for the market gardener a continual study and practice: he 

 must irrigate more or less every year, and needs to be well equipped 

 to do it economically. 



There are three principal methods employed: running in furrows 

 between rows of crops; spraying on the surface from a hose; and 

 spraying on the surface by means of some other mechanical device. 



The first method is used on crops like corn, beans, tomatoes, cu- 

 cumbers and squash, but would not do for lettuce, spinach or 

 radishes. The soil adapted to furrow irrigation must be one which 

 does not absorb too much water, as a large stream would soon dis- 

 appear in sand or gravel. A loamy soil with a moderate slope would 

 be adapted to furrow irrigation. Water for this style of irrigation 

 wduld need to be very cheap, as it is not spread over enough surface 

 to be most efficient. 



The second method, of spraying with a hose, has this great ad- 

 vantage, that the largest amount of water can easily be applied 

 where needed most. There are variations in the soil and drainage 

 in many fields, and the man who applies water from a hose can put 

 the water where it is needed. The cost of putting on water by this 

 method should never exceed 10 cents per 1,000 gallons above the 

 first cost of the water. The usual cost of applying will be found 

 to be much more rather than less because of poor service, poor piping 

 or defective valves or hose. This cost of applying water has set men 

 to figuring on mechanical labor-saving devices, several of which have 

 been invented and experimented with. 



This brings us to the third method of irrigating, namely, the use 

 of mechanical devices, stationary, semi-stationary and whirling. The 

 whirling deliver the water in circles, as is also done by the sta- 

 tionary, and each of these have to be moved often to do good work. 

 In general, the smaller the stream from these devices, and the longer 

 continued the application, the better will be the results. The water 

 being applied over a long period results in a more thorough wetting 

 and a more favorable climatic condition, and the fine spray will not 

 injure the foliage. 



The semi-stationary type of irrigation is well illustrated by what 

 is known as the Skinner system. By this system water is delivered 

 in very fine streams, %2 of an inch in diameter, and with a pressure 

 of 50 pounds will be carried 28 to 30 feet from the nozzle, and will 

 be well spread by the currents of air. 



The water used for irrigation on most market garden farms is 

 obtained from the town or eitj' supply, and is the service to be 



