IRRIGATION IN FLORIDA. 31 
Cucumbers are the principal crop grown in the Williston section. 
There is much controversy concerning the effect of spray irrigation 
upon this crop, although all the systems were installed for the pur- 
pose of watering cucumbers. Some of the farmers owning irrigation 
plants are very much opposed to spraying cucumbers, claiming that 
the water applied on the leaves by the spray systems materially in- 
creases blight or rust. Many owners are willing to sell their systems 
at a great sacrifice. Others claim that blight is as troublesome where 
there are no irrigation plants. The consensus of opinion seems to be 
that care must be exercised in the application of water on account 
of this disease. 
One advocate of spraying for the irrigation of cucumbers claims 
that he has paid for his plant easily by the added yields from irriga- 
tion within the last few years. He considers the spray system valu- 
able not only because of its ability to supply water in dry times, but 
also for the purpose of preventing injury to the young plants by 
the blowing sand, from which more or less trouble is experienced 
during the spring. 
Opinions differ concerning the use of the spray system as a protec- 
tion from frost, some claiming that a medium frost will do no harm 
if irrigation is begun immediately before daylight and continues for 
some time after the sun is up, while others believe that no harm will 
come to the plant if the frost is washed off early in the morning. 
Many irrigators claim they have tried the overhead spray as a frost 
protector with absolutely no benefit. Whatever the fact, it does not 
seem to be a general practice to depend on the irrigation plant for 
frost protection in spite of considerable evidence in its favor. There 
is no doubt that spraying is of little use, however, in time of extraor- 
dinary cold weather or when the thermometer registers below the 
safety point for a considerable length of time. 
Experience with steam pumping plants in this district indicates 
that, while economical in operation, they have some serious draw- 
backs, chief of which is the inability to irrigate immediately on ac- 
count of the necessity to get up steam. This might be a serious objec- 
tion in times of sudden high winds, which might cause much damage 
before the irrigation plant could be put into operation. The same 
might be true to a less degree in times of sudden drop in tempera- 
ture. Gasoline engines can be started at once when in good running 
order. It should be stated in favor of the steam engine, however, 
that it is kept in order easily, while as much can not always be said 
of the gasoline engine. 
The time and number of waterings necessary are dependent on the 
rainfall, except when frost or blowing sand must be combated. In 
any case, the time of irrigation is entirely dependent upon the 
weather conditions. Dry weather in the spring causes great loss 
