ntHIGATIOH" 1ST FLOBIBA. 81 



Cucumbers are the principal crop grown in the Williston section. 

 There is much controversy concerning the effect of spray irrigation 

 upon this crop, although all the systems were installed for the pur- 

 pose of watering cucumbers. Some of the farmers owning irrigation 

 plants are very much opposed to spraying cucumbers, claiming that 

 the water applied on the leaves by the spray systems materially in- 

 creases blight or rust. Many owners are willing to sell their systems 

 at a great sacrifice. Others claim that blight is as troublesome where 

 there are no irrigation plants. The consensus of opinion seems to be 

 that care must be exercised in the application of water on account 

 of this disease. 



One advocate of spraying for the irrigation of cucumbers claims 

 that he has paid for his plant easily by the added yields from irriga- 

 tion within the last few years. He considers the spray system valu- 

 able not only because of its ability to supply water in dry times, but 

 also for the purpose of preventing injury to the young plants by 

 the blowing sand, from which more or less trouble is experienced 

 during the spring. 



Opinions differ concerning the use of the spray system as a protec- 

 tion from frost, some claiming that a medium frost will do no harm 

 if irrigation is begun immediately before daylight and continues for 

 some time after the sun is up, while others believe that no harm will 

 come to the plant if the frost is washed off early in the morning. 

 Many irrigators claim they have tried the overhead spray as a frost 

 protector with absolutely no benefit. Whatever the fact, it does not 

 seem to be a general practice to depend on the irrigation plant for 

 frost protection in spite of considerable evidence in its favor. There 

 is no doubt that spraying is of little use, however, in time of extraor- 

 dinary cold weather or when the thermometer registers below the 

 safety point for a considerable length of time. 



Experience with steam pumping plants in this district indicates 

 that, while economical in operation, they have some serious draw- 

 backs, chief of which is the inability to irrigate immediately on ac- 

 count of the necessity to get up steam. This might be a serious objec- 

 tion in times of sudden high winds, which might cause much damage 

 before the irrigation plant could be put into operation. The same 

 might be true to a less degree in times of sudden drop in tempera- 

 ture. Gasoline engines can be started at once when in good running 

 order. It should be stated in favor of the steam engine, however, 

 that it is kept in order easily, while as much can not always be said 

 of the gasoline engine. 



The time and number of waterings necessary are dependent on the 

 rainfall, except when frost or blowing sand must be combated. In 

 any case, the time of irrigation is entirely dependent upon the 

 weather conditions. Dry weather in the spring causes great loss 



