CHAPTER VIII 

 IRRIGATION 



115. The extent of irrigation. Irrigation has been de- 

 veloped to a great extent in arid and semi-arid regions of 

 the West, but not until recent years have intensive grow- 

 ers in the East taken a general interest in the subject. 

 The quickened interest has been due mainly to improved 

 methods and the increased importance of avoiding' losses 

 from drouth. Notwithstanding the improvement in im- 

 plements, production costs more than ever before, and 

 men appreciate more fully the importance of controlling 

 all conditions, thus making every crop a success so far 

 as production is concerned. It seems inconsistent for an 

 intensive grower to spend large sums of money in pro- 

 viding right conditions in every respect except one, which 

 he neglects entirely. Of the factors contributing to the 

 growth of a healthy plant, water is the most important. 

 Scientists have been telling us this for years and it seems 

 strange that practical men have been so slow to grasp 

 the idea. But conditions have changed and vegetable 

 growers in all sections of the United States are giving 

 attention to artificial methods of watering. Hundreds 

 of gardeners every year are installing irrigation systems. 

 The movement is particularly active near the large cities, 

 but it is spreading into all communities where vegetables 

 are grown for commercial purposes. 



1 1 6. Opportunities for irrigation. Throughout the 

 eastern part of the United States there are thousands of 

 opportunities for successful irrigation. Creeks, rivers, 

 ponds and lakes furnish an abundant supply of water, 

 which, in many instances, is available at slight cost. It 

 is not uncommon to find conditions where water might 



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