The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1893-04-19

Init is q tubular boiler of eighty horse power,
and a 16x1O 1-4x1O Worthington pump, capable
ofliiting $50 gallons per minute. An additional
pnmp will be added when the piping is completed
The water is elevated into 100, 900 gallon iron
tank, which is elevated eighty feet on an iron
truss. Water can also be pumped directly into
the main. The tank affords water for spray
ing and all other purposes desired, without run
ming the pump every day. An eight inch main
IS to the several groves to be irrigated,
The grove mains six and four inch and the
laterals two and one.half inch pipe, Two inch
hydrants are located from 100 to 125 feet apart
But few of the groves are yet fully piped The
entire plant will cost from $4O,OOO1to $4,000
Before this expen diture was determine d
upon careful investigation was made as to
the result of irrigation in the State, and the
necessity for it upon high, sandy soil. Two
objects were borne in mind.
1st. The prevention of total loss of the
orange crop in seasons of drouth.
2nd. Its full development in seasons of un-
equal distribution of the rain fall
Some fifty irrigating plants we're visited
and reports from as many more obtained.
From practical experience. and as the result
of these Investigations, the following obser-
vations are made. We do not dignity the
all as positive conclusions Some of them
were not inducements to put in this plant,
but apply rather to the method of using it.
They are inserted here as mestones to guide
the future waytarer, mindful of the fact that
none of the measurements may not be fourd
accurate, viz: Irrigated groves show greater
growth In tEe early season, when the growth
is especially desirable The fruit is made to
set better and dropping is prevented. The
fruit ripcns caller. Navel trees have in many
instances been made to bear by the free
OF water about blooming time. No injurious
effect was found as 10 the quality of irrigated
fruit. If there be danger of damage to the
shipping qualities of fruit from excessive mOis.
ture it can be avoided by care. The same in
teligerce is required in irrigation as in the
application of fertilizer and OF her grove w OIk
Water should be applied from the middle OF
March to the close Oftho dly season. At other
times only enough should be used to keep
leaves from Gu ling or fruit from dropping. 1t
is not advisable to apply water to the leaves
in the hot IN Of monday. The water supply
should be ample or irrigation should not be
attempted 1t is questionable whether from
a deep well. with water fifty or more feet
from the surface, irrigation is practicable or
profitable. Grove mains should not be less
than tOur.nch and lateIals not less than two
and Onehalf inch pipe. Large boiler and
pump is true economy.
The amount OF moisture eYaporated by
orange trees almost passes comprehension.
In few groves of large trees can much m0is-
ture be found at any time ar down among the
roots. 1t matters not how far apart the trees
arc set, there is dry tn under them. There
II IS moi been sufficient rain fall for best re suits
for several years. Whether this is caused by
the great forest depletion or how long if win
continue is not krUwn, bCt he hes. remedy
that is aVnila Die is irrigation. IT Is question:
able whether yCui g trees tmand aIti6-
cial watering. Irrigated lard holds the
moisture better and more lie; diy, catches
and retains the fortiliZing elements of the at
mOsphere. Fertil Zers applied and the miner.
ais of the soil are rendered Immediately avail
able The fertilzing elements contained III
the water itself only be determined by
analysis, but are likely to exist here, as we'll
in California and elseN here. 1t may be
feasible TO apply muddy or thick mucky water
by means Of pumps similar to those in use in
of rock Water cannot be depended upon to
take the place of fertilizers.
Water is an nsCcticlde to some extent and
can be so used. Some growers have conceived
the plan of Introducing insecticide into the
feed pipe Ofthe pump by carefully guaged taps
and contend that the results are as good as
from the application of stronger solutions. A