This section is from the book "Vegetable Gardening", by Ralph L. Watts. Also available from Amazon: Vegetable Gardening.
Irrigation has been developed to a great extent in arid and semi-arid regions of the West, but not until recent years have intensive growers in the East taken a general interest in the subject. The quickened interest has been due mainly to improved methods and the increased importance of avoiding losses from drouth. Notwithstanding the improvement in implements, production costs more than ever before, and men appreciate more fully the importance of controlling all conditions, thus making every crop a success so far as production is concerned. It seems inconsistent for an intensive grower to spend large sums of money in providing right conditions in every respect except one, which he neglects entirely. Of the factors contributing to the growth of a healthy plant, water is the most important. Scientists have been telling us this for years and it seems strange that practical men have been so slow to grasp the idea. But conditions have changed and vegetable growers in all sections of the United States are giving attention to artificial methods of watering. Hundreds of gardeners every year are installing irrigation systems. The movement is particularly active near the large cities, but it is spreading into all communities where vegetables are grown for commercial purposes.
 
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