IRRIGATION IN CONNECTICUT. 241 
from the irrigated areas brought eleven cents. At these rates 
per quart the fruit on the irrigated plots sold at the rate of 
$584.76 per acre, and that on the non-irrigated at the rate 
of $1 87.47 per acre, a difference of $397.29 per acre in favor of 
irrigation. 
It will be readily seen that even with two acres of straw- 
berries the increased returns obtained by the use of water 
would furnish quite a sum toward covering the expense of an 
irrigation plant. 
SUGGESTIONS REGARDING IRRIGATION. 
The contour of most of the land of Connecticut, and, in fact, 
of all New England, is such as to readily admit of the convey- 
ance and application of water for irrigation. Streams, ponds, 
and springs are common and, except in cases of severe drouths, 
furnish an adequate supply of water. Many crops like straw- 
berries, raspberries, and early vegetables need irrigating, if at 
all, early in the season, when the supply of water is often suf- 
ficient, while, perhaps, later in the season it would not be. 
Much of the land that would be improved by irrigation is in 
valleys, close to streams and ponds, which in many cases are high 
enough to give a moderate flow on the areas below, so the cost 
of getting the water would be merely nominal. ‘The soils used 
for our most profitable crops are generally light and porous and 
leach water readily, but are just the kind that most need irri- 
gating; while our best money crops, such as small fruits and 
vegetables, are heavy users of water. There is no need of 
drainage in connection with irrigation on soils of this class as 
is often the case where the surface soil is compact. 
SOURCES OF WATER AND MEANS OF MAKING IT AVAILABLE. 
The sources of water for irrigation in Connecticut are natural 
or artificial ponds, streams, and springs, and in- some cases 
wells. In many cases ponds are so located that water can be 
conveyed from them to fields on lower ground by means of 
open ditches, the expense depending upon the distance and the 
character of the ground to be passed through. This is often 
the cheapest method for securing water. When the supply is 
large the loss of water occasioned by soakage from the ditch or 
evaporation is not of serious consequence. The fall of many 
of our small streams is so great that by building a small dam 
