IRRIGATION IN CONNECTICUT 223 
laid on the surface. The irrigated field, with only three 
applications of water, gave a yield two and two-thirds times 
greater than that obtained where no water was applied. 
A strong argument in favor of irrigation in’ Connecticut is 
found in the high value per acre of many farm and garden 
crops. ‘The following table shows the range of value per acre 
for some small fruits and market-garden crops as given by 
practical farmers, when these crops have not been irrigated: 
Strawberries, - $200 to $450 Celery, . - $200 to $300 
Raspberries, - 200 to 400 Onions, : - I50to 300 
Asparagus, - - 100 to 200 Muskmelons, - 300 
Cauliflower, - 200to 400 
It will readily be seen that a loss of one-half on some of 
these crops, when five or six acres are grown, would cover 
quite an outlay for water. The two men in Connecticut who 
have made the most extensive use of irrigation both state that 
the cost of the irrigation plant was returned the first season by 
the increased crops obtained where water was applied. 
With crops like strawberries and raspberries the benefits 
derived from irrigation represent only a few weeks’ labor and 
a small expenditure of money. So great is the gain derived 
from having an abundance of water for these crops at the right 
time that good profits have been obtained by the use of a road 
engine and force pump. In many places this form of power 
could be hired for a few days and large profits obtained from 
its use. 
Before farming products were shipped by rail long distances 
the prices obtained for the crop in any locality depended largely 
upon the supply in that immediate vicinity. If the season was 
not a favorable one for any particular crop, and the yields were 
light, the increased prices obtained often counterbalanced the 
deficiency in the yield, so that the weather conditions did not 
so largely regulate the profits. To-day, however, if there isa 
shortage in any crop in one locality, the market, except in the 
case of perishable products, may be stocked from long distances 
away where the weather conditions were perhaps favorable for 
large yields. ‘The profits obtained by local growers are thus 
largely dependent upon the seasons, and it frequently happens 
that the season of poor crops resulting from lack of rainfall 
nearly or quite uses up the profits of favorable seasons. 
