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. 
6 
10 
8 
15 
10 
19 
1? 
?fi 
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 sand} 7 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 
