Irrigation 



385 



Irrigation is an economic question. If, by irrigation, 

 one can produce enough better crop more than to pay the 

 cost, the practice is to be advised. Too often the farmer 

 thinks of irrigation as he thinks of fertilizer — as a means 

 of giving him crops when he does not work for them. It 

 is only the well-tilled and well-handled lands that pay for 

 either irrigating or fertilizing. The intenser the crop- 

 ping, the more the capital invested, the better the market, 

 the more likely is irrigation to pay. Ordinary crops will 

 not pay the cost and risk of irrigation in the East. The 

 feasibility of it depends, also, on the lay of the land, the 

 availability of water, the price and supply of labor, the 

 character of the given climate. 



Most vegetable-gardeners in the East do not find it 

 profitable to irrigate. Now and then a man who has push 

 and the ability to handle a fine crop finds it a profitable 

 undertaking. If the grower contemplates putting in an 

 irrigating plant, he should visit a garden in which one is 

 in operation, if possible. He should take advice and buy 

 a special book on the subject. 



In general garden operations, the water may be applied 

 on the surface, in the furrows between the rows. The 

 main conduits — which may be ordinary wrought-iron 

 water pipes — are carried along the highest land. The 

 pipes may be laid in ditches or on the surface. At inter- 

 vals, hose-bibs are provided, so that a rubber hose can be 

 attached and the water conveyed into the furrows. When 

 box sluices are provided, there may be openings or water- 

 gates opposite the furrows. If iron pipes are used, faucets 

 must be provided at the lowest point of the run and in the 

 sags for the purpose of emptying the pipe of water in 



