58 BULLETIN 462, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



If the length through which the whole amount of water is to be 

 conveyed is more than 1,000 feet it will be well to increase the size of 

 the line. It probably will be necessary to put in a few lengths of iron 

 pipe instead of the terra-cotta whenever the head exceeds 15 feet. 



Other low-pressure pipe used with success in Florida is of the 

 continuous concrete type. A grove in Terra Ceia is equipped with 

 a system of this design which irrigates about 60 acres, and there is 

 a plant of like design and capacity at Dunedin. This does not take 

 the place of the terra-cotta pipe, however, as it is not made in sizes 

 over 3 inches, and a 3-inch pipe is of little utility with the furrow 

 methods considered above. Continuous pipe has, however, given 

 excellent results when used in connection with artesian wells at 

 Terra Ceia and with iron pipe and sprinklers at Dunedin. 



Prices of terra-cotta pipe vary, but the average is about as follows, 

 delivery being to central Florida : 



Table 4. — Prices of terra-cotta pipe. 



Size inches . . 



Price per foot cents. . 



Only a general idea as to total costs may be obtained by these 

 prices. 



The cost of laying the pipe also varies greatly, depending on labor 

 and materials, soil conditions, and sizes laid, but will average from 

 2 to 5 cents per foot. 



The complete cost of a distribution system of this type will vary 

 for the average grove from $20 to $50 per acre, the average probably 

 being about $35 per acre. This does not include the pumping outfit 

 or the iron main to the standpipe. Even if the higher figure is taken 

 it will be seen that a great saving is made on the cost of the average 

 distribution system now in use upon the sandy groves where the iron 

 pipe and hose systems are in use. The average cost of the latter 

 systems probably is $100 to $150 per acre, and many of them deliver 

 no more than a fraction of the quantities of water required. 



SOME IMPORTANT POINTS IN THE DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT OF 

 AN IRRIGATION PLANT. 



The first consideration for prospective irrigators is the water 

 supply. Practically every section of Florida can be watered easily 

 either from wells or from lakes or streams. Estimates as to the size 

 and probable depth of a well should be obtained from local well 

 drillers or from the State geologist, as conditions vary greatly. The 

 cost of a well will depend mainly on its size and depth. 



The area to be irrigated is the next item to consider, this and the 

 capacity of the water supply being the determining factors in the 



