The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1893-04-19
eJackSonV111e, Fla.

ound very durable everywhere in Florida; gal
vanized iron pipe which comes high, but is sup
posed to be very durable rustless pipe and steel
pipe recently put upon the market, and which by
secret process are treated so that they war
ranted to withstand rust, costing the IN Ost money
at the outset but which may pay the best in the
end pipe composed of cement and fine sand
which is made by patented machine worked by
hand and so constructed as to move along an
open trench as the pipe is formed; numerous pOr-
Gus pipes made in the same way and through
the pores the water Oozes for the purpose of sub
irrigation; trOughs made of planks, drain tile,
etc.
We have not intended to express any preference
in the matter of the selection of piping, as each
kind has it's ardent advocates, and each its ad-
vantages No rule can be laid down in general,
as local conditions and the cheapness of any ma
terial at the point where they it is to be used
must govern. From the pipe the wateris applied
by allowing it to overflow through numerous
openings at the surface, and to upon the
ground aided by small bitches, trOughs or large
open hose, by hose of various lengths with noz-
zes attached in there is sufficient head, by
holes in the pipe under the ground, which are
protected from filing with earth in various ways,
ometimes with zinc or tin tunnels which are filled
with coarse gravel by oozing through porous
pipe that is buried in the ground; by short stand
pipes placed at intervals along the mains and
laterals to the top of which are fixed nozzles
which reduce the water to fine spray; and by va
rious other means which local conditions and the
inventive GENUS of the owner may render prac-
ticable
Perhaps before closing under this head we
should not omit to mention the place of A. N.
Cole of New York, for storing and applying water
which he has named "The New Agriculture ;"
This is especially useful on sloping lands. Par
allel trenches are dug few feet apart, and along
the bottom of these small reservoirs or excava-
tions made connecting with each other by
pipes. The bottoms of the reservoirs are filled
with loose stones to leave room for the
storage of water. Smaller pieces of stone or
gravel are placed on top these, followed by fat
stones, boards, or tile, to prevent the soil from
washing into the reservoirs and filing them up.
Then the soil is thrown back in the trenches, and
we have a system through which any amount of
water will continue to circulate, the outlet from
the last trench carrying off any surplus, while
enough is preserved to water any crop of small
fruit or vegetables that can be grown. The cost
where stones can be had does not exceed $500 per
acre. The product if five acres belonged to Mr..
Cole, is almost hey ond belief to one who has not
seen it, These five acres are said to be more val
liable than any equal area in the world, and to
produce more than most highly cultivated farms.
1t may be applied to any soil and to level land.
Tile may be used instead of stones in thereservOr.
The system must be studied to be appreciated.
-. That irrigation of the olive, orange lime,
almond, fig, apple and other orchard trees, even
at maximum original cost of $3.50 an acre, has
been shown to pay in Southern France, Italy
and other European countries, and in California.
IA. That in figuring the profit loss in irri-
cation the value of water used nsecticide.
and affecting the diseases of fruit trees bould
be taken into account.
Is. That the fact that irrigation offers wider
field for the selection of profitable crops, and
allows of the suc"essfulintroduction of plants I'M
known to our agriculture is worthy of considera-
ton.
IS. That sub-irrigation as generally practiced
has not proven wholly successfuIin most sections
where it has been tested.