IRRIGATION IN FLORIDA. 43 
Nevertheless, there are disadvantages to this system, the most seri- 
ous perhaps being the first cost, which is too high for the average 
grower to consider. Inasmuch as the citrus trees in Florida grow 
very tall after reaching the age of about 20 years, another objection 
is the trouble experienced from nozzles when it becomes necessary to 
elevate them above the reach of the hand. This is a considerable 
drawback since the nozzles are likely to need attention as they become 
worn or clogged. An irrigation system should be put in with the 
idea of having permanent effectiveness, for it seems that the older a 
tree the more water it needs. 
IRRIGATION OF GliOVES BY SURFACE METHODS. 
To one who has seen the systems employed for the irrigation of 
orange groves in southern California, it is somewhat surprising that 
the California methods are not in more general use in Florida, as 
many of the growers had visited the western systems before they in- 
stalled these entirely different systems in their own groves. The fur- 
row systems of the West are not more widely used in Florida, how- 
ever, because of the difference in soil conditions, the conclusion having 
been that the loose and sandy soils of Florida would not permit the 
running of water for long distances upon the surface of the ground. 
Yet some prominent growers in Florida have irrigated their groves 
by this method with reported success. Probably the best-known grove 
where this method has succeeded in spite of sandy soil is a grove on 
Lake Butler, about 10 miles west of Orlando. The manager of the 
grove reported to the Florida Horticultural Society in 1907 that he 
had used the furrow system with success during the protracted 
drought of that season, running water down furrows 500 to 600 feet, 
and that he was using successfully a main of 10-inch terra-cotta pipe 
as well as several hundred feet of light portable galvanized sheet-iron 
pipe. The latter may be carried easily from place to place and may be 
made to carry water where the grades do not permit running it in 
furrows. 
Another example of furrow irrigation in Florida is a grove at 
Winter Haven. The plant consists of a steam duplex pump, capacity 
about 200 gallons per minute, operated by a 30-horsepower engine. 
The main pipe line runs from the lake to the center of the 50-acre 
grove. Outlets consisting of 5 by 3 inch iron crosses are provided 
on the main, 125 feet apart. The 3-inch outlets face at right angles 
to the main, each being provided with a 3-inch iron gate valve. In 
connection with the above there is enough 3-inch iron pipe to reach 
from the main to the outside of the grove. This pipe is carried from 
place to place as it is needed. 
Before the water is turned on the land several furrows are 
plowed in each space between the tree rows parallel to the main, and 
