The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-11-07
IRRIGATION IN NEW JERSEY
Director TPue's Buiietin On Condf-
tions and Remedies.

Director True's Buifetin On Condf-
tiOns and Remedies.
In bulletin just issued by the Agri-
cultural Department on Irrigation in
New Jersey A C. True, Director of me
Office of Experiment Stations, says so
far as rainfall conditions are concerned,
New Jersey belongs to the so-calIed hu-
mid region, and may be considered typi-
cal Of the whole eastern half of the Unit
ed States"
Little Importance has thus far been at
tached to the matter of irrigation in the
Eastern States. This is due in large part
to the fact that the rainfall is usually
sufficient to meet the needs OF vegetation
and because serious or long protracted
droughts are the exception rather than
the rule. Owing, however, to the changes
which have taken place in recent years in
the character CT the farming, attention
has been aroused to the Importance of
controlling the moisture of soils rather
than accepting the conditions as they ex-
list, and deficiency of rainfall for even
a short period is now found to be more
disastrous than the long periods of
drought under old conditions OF farm prac-
tice. though, even under extensive systems
Of farming, the losses from drought are
often very serious. For example, in the
season Of 1899 it was so dry in May and
early June that the yield of hay, an i'm
portaGt crop in the East. was very light
in New Jersey. TIE shortage in this crop
amounted to more than oEe-half, which 8
a low estimate averaged $50 per farm, or
a loss of more than 100000 for the
State In the dairy regions the deficiency
of rainfall also materially reduced the
yield of the pasture and early forage
crops. thus affecting the returns from this
branch OF farming. SO seriously does a
deficiency of rainfall affect the dairy in
terests that many progressive farmers
now regularly plant supplementary crop
TO provide sufficient forage in case Of
drought.
Il pays better to have an excess of for
age, which may be wasted in part, in a
good season, than 10 have a shortage.
The deficiency of rainfall in 1888 also re-
suited in very serious injury to early
crops were also affected. 1t is perhaps
not practicable, and it may not be posi-
bic, in many parts OF the East TO provide
for the irrigation OF the entire farm area,
1t is not known how far it would be prac-
ticable: hence it Is eminently desirable
IHdt ShOuiu De maze concerning
the question in the East and that expert
ments be carried out 10 determine wheth-
er largely increased yield may be ex-
pected from irrigation, and thus show
whether IL is likely to prove a pFactl cable !
and profitable undertaking.
Regarding the time of applying water the
bulletin says;
Experience has shown that the best
method OF irrigation in the arid region is /!
n q tsa and Fcyk SF1f- ing at
siderable intervals of tine IN that re
gion the rainfall during the growing season /
IS SO small as Rot to enter into the eaIcu-
iations. In New Jersey however. sudden /
showers. which result in a rainfall of from +
Two 10 three inches. are not unusual. If !
these come Immediately OF soon after the /
application Of enc inch or more CT water !
by irrigation. and the storm is followed, as |
frequently happens. by damp muggy |
weather the effect of the irrigation may
DC to decrease the crop rather than in /
crease It. excessive amounts OF moisture |
under the conditions mentioned are condu- |
Give 10 the rapid spread CT blights, diseases,
rots. etc. which are likely to reduce the /
yield, and in many cases prove quite as
disastrous as a deficiency of water. This
is particularly true in the case Of melons, /
potatoes. berries, et4-; II would not, OF
course, be the case with the cereals, the |
grasses, ct the summer forage crops
In irrigating in this region Il has been
found to be more prudent plan to use the |
water more frequently and in less amounts !
than is usual in the arid districts. This, /
while more expensive OF time, obFiates the
danger here pointed out. It has been the .
practice here to begin tn irrigation when
the surface soil became dry and before the (.
plants show any sign Of suffering, and then
to apply such an amount as will thorough /
" moisten the soil and keep the crops |
growing.
The dTyress of the soil when necessary (
to begin, and its moisture when the irriga-
ton should be stopped, are matters that
can be leaFnd from experience The rec
ords of applications and the results OBJ
tanned, on subsequent pages, show what
the practice at The New Jersey station is
in the matter Of application and the gains
from the added water. In brief the object
was 10 keep the soil moist, which term
will be fully understoo by all practical
men To prevent the escape OF the water
the burrows were turned back ID the land
cultivated after the water had soaked into
the soil
In the experiments in irrigating ber-
ries no specific studies have been made OF
methods of irrigation; in all eases il has
been by what is known as the furrow sys-
tenn which has given excellent satisfac-
ton. It is believed to be the more prac-
ticatie plan for crops OF this sort, and for
considerable areas. a broad, shallow fur !
row was run along the row and the water
turned in IN such quantity as to cause it
to flow slowly, until the soil between the
burrows which contain the row was thor
oughly wet. When the water has thor
oughly soaked into the soil, the burrows
are turned back and the whole cultivated -
FRAUDS IN WINE MAKING.
Fakirs Who supply Alleged Fine Ar