IRRIGATION IN FLORIDA. 19 
Manatee district probably averages 500 feet. Some of the wells in 
the Fort Myers and Manatee districts have a very heavy flow, regis- 
tering as much as 20 pounds pressure when capped. One 6-inch well 
near Palatka, now used for irrigation, flows more than 1,000 gallons 
per minute at the well, and will force water to the second story of the 
house, which stands on an elevation some 10 or 15 feet above the well. 
As the elevation of the ground surface increases the flowing ar- 
tesian wells disappear. Much of the central portion of the State is 
in this higher area. The wells in the non-flowing artesian belt 
usually appear to be inexhaustible from a pumping standpoint. 
Many of the bored wells above the flowing artesian belt are used as 
drainage wells. These will take great quantities of water without 
materially affecting their own water levels. This fact is explained 
by geologists as due to the porous nature of the water-bearing lime- 
stone strata underlying the entire State. 
Much water for irrigation is derived from driven wells, which 
usually draw on the surface supply. There are not many open dug 
wells, as the sandy character of the soil makes an open well difficult 
to manage. A few open wells in the Miami section, however, are dug 
in the limestone formation, and these supply water to a number of 
irrigation plants, some yielding large amounts of water. 
DESCRIPTION OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS IN USE IN FLORIDA. 
The important types of irrigation practiced in Florida are: (1) 
subirrigation, (2) overhead spray, (3) grove irrigation, which in- 
cludes many different systems, and (4) furrow irrigation, applicable 
both to truck crops and to citrus groves. 
SYSTEMS FOR THE IRRIGATION OF TRUCK CROPS. 
Sanford is located on Lake Monroe, in the central part of the 
peninsula, about 28 miles west of the Atlantic Ocean. The lake is 
formed by the widening out of St. Johns River, which is used for 
transportation purposes, and handles considerable freight between 
Sanford and Jacksonville. It will not accommodate the large ocean 
steamers, but will float good-sized river steamers. There also is 
direct railroad connection with the northern markets. 
Practically all of the cultivated area in the Sanford district is 
devoted to the growing of winter vegetable crops for use in the 
northern markets. It also grows summer fodder crops for home use. 
The soil, for the most part, is of the flatwoods type, although there 
is some low hammock in certain localities. Much of the land away 
from the river is practically level, although the general trend of the 
grades is toward the river. A considerable area adjacent to the river, 
however, has heavy grades, some of the lands falling several feet to 
