IRRIGATION IN FLORIDA. 47 
It is possible that the irrigation of the Everglades will become a 
problem that can best be handled by cooperative methods. At pres- 
ent too much drainage work remains to be completed to permit the 
formation of any decided opinion as to the best methods to be fol- 
lowed. The 280 miles of drainage canals now open represent only 
part of the main ditches which must be constructed. Many miles of 
lateral farm ditches for drainage also must be constructed before the 
entire area can be considered as offering any possibilities as an irri- 
gated section. 
At present the region offers no problem that has not been discussed 
above. There are a few acres of overhead-spray systems along some 
of the main canals and some land has been irrigated successfully by 
the furrow system, water being pumped from the drainage canals. 
It is quite certain that pumps will be the main source of irrigation 
for some time. The future alone will determine the feasibility of 
raising the water surface by structures placed in the drainage canals, 
thus reversing the purpose of the farm laterals so as to use them to 
supply water to the farm instead of draining off the water. The 
Everglades are not drained, as a whole, at present, although there are 
a number of individual drainage projects within the main drainage 
system which make possible the cultivation of limited areas. 
What appears to be most needed to encourage the construction and 
operation of irrigation plants in Florida is a knowledge of cheaper 
installation for the higher and sandier groves, with cheap and effi- 
cient methods of distribution. Such methods are needed in many of 
the truck gardens and in many of the groves that lie on the lower 
elevations. 
EXPERIMENTS TO DETERMINE METHODS FOR ECONOMICAL 
IRRIGATION. 
The Office of Public Roads and Rural Engineering experimented 
with construction for irrigation by furrow or surface methods, and 
to determine the distribution of water in the soil when such methods 
are used. The results derived from these tests have been quite uni- 
form and point toward greatly improved irrigation systems for the 
future. 
SOIL-MOISTURE TESTS MADE IN CONNECTION WITH IRRIGATION. 
The tests in soil-moisture content were made to determine the best 
heads of water to use for furrow irrigation and the length of time 
that should be allowed for irrigation. With these points determined, 
the best methods for applying water could be found. The tests were 
made at several points near Orlando, some being in connection with 
the use of the portable plant mentioned on page 38 and others with 
larger heads from large-capacity pumping plants. Experiments were 
made with several types of soil, but as the closer types offer no par- 
