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

II. That whether or not irrigation will pay in
particular case can only be determ ined by the
individual mindful of the fact that true economy
must be practced, that there is limit to the
cost that can safely be incurred, and that many
a wreck has been made upon the irrigation rock
Our deductions above are based upon prudent
investments and are the rule and not the exception,
IRRIGATION IN FLORIDA.
We have given much space to irrigation else
where because the field OF observ ton here limit
ed and the results omewhat conflicting and unsat-
isfactory. While this question has many pecul-
iarities and complications as applied to Florida,
think the conclusions mentioned above are
worthy of consideration here. There are some
three hundred plants in operation or under con-
struction in theS State. They are of all styles and
descriptions, except that the old time ditch sys-
TEN which diverts the mountain stream, seems
to have no place in the economy of Florida. We
have some small ditch systems which are used to
convey water that is pumped to the surface or
comesfrom flowing wells, (notably that of Thorn
as III. II astings in ST. Johns county,. The water
flows along clay sub-soil without great waste
and with entire success. On such soil, with CLAW
a kind of hard-pan near the surface this plan
can be made to succeed anywhere, and is the
cheapest and best. 1t may answer well here in
soil in South and East Florida is of this kinCE
On our common sandy soil, and with a favor
able slope. there are instances where water is
made to flow in furrow or ditch a maximum
distance of thrty-ive feet before it is swallowed
up by the thirsty soil. There may be instances
of longer distances travelled, bu they are not
known to us.
Two-thirds of the plants in the State are of
the usual iron pipe plan, with sufficient pres.
sure from pump or tank to force the water
through hose and NOZZLE which are attached to
hydrants along the pipe at Intervals of about
one hundred feet
Next in order is the sprinkler system before
mentioned in this report. The sprink Iers are at
tached to stand pipes which generally are placed
in the square between four trees at VARYING
heights, and reduce the water to fine spray.
Some run them up the trunk and to the ton of
each tree. Others make thestand pipes movable
on wooden or iron frames, and attach them to
the pipes by lengths of hose. The sprinkler NAV
rovolve or be made stationary.
No more refreshing sight can be seen on a. hot
dry day in spring than this system in operation
If sprinklers and pressure sufficient the spray
penetrates every nook and corner of the grove
and vets every leaf on the trees.
Then there is the cement pipe system, which is
pressure from pump tank, and there are sew
eral instances of such at the present time
Short stand pipes, to which hose can be attached,
are set in the cement pipe before the material
hardens, and after few days these stand pipes
or hydrants firmly set the cpmenttseh
This cement pipe system is more generally used
for sub-irrigation. Metal tunnels are set in
small holes in the pipe, at frequent intervals in
stead of the stand pipes or hydrants. This pipe
all other mentioned, is buried beneath the
pillow line, aud the funuels, extending but short
distance above the pipe, and all covered with
earth are filed with coarse gravel or shell to
keep the soil out when the system is not in use
The water is either elevated slightly by tank, or
flows directly from artesian wells which are on
higher ground. Such tanks or reservoirs are
sometimes made of cement mixed with sand in
proper proportions. They are n~actically indie
structible, and are made of an, size desired
about as cheaply as of wood