The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Sprinkler Irrigation
The considerably lower average added returns per acre reported by muck farmers may be attributed to the fact that they use irrigation on muck lands primarily after planting to give the crop a good start. After the crop is once established on muck it is not likely to suffer during drought periods as is the case on light, mineral soils.
OPERATION: Sprinklers set 40 feet apart on the lateral and making lateral moves of 60 feet would apply .56 inches of rain per hour. Thus a 5 hour setting would give 2.80 inches of rain which is sufficient for most crops.
This type of operation requires the least amount of equipment, but a little more labor is used in moving. A small pump and power unit on wheels is moved
4 times. The lateral can be set 5 times for each move of pump. The main, or header line is moved to the opposite side of the pump discharge when the lateral reaches that position.
If the soil is such that it will not absorb .56 inches per hour without puddling or washing, the sprinkler nozzle can be easily changed to smaller size.
40 Acre Layout Day And Night Operation
OPERATION: Lateral lines and sprinklers are allowed to operate in each position 11 to 12 hours, which will
put on about 3 1/2 inches of rain. In the morning and evening first one lateral and then the other is shut down, by closing the valve tee on that line, and moved to the new position. This requires about 30 minutes for each line, or 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the evening, to water 40 acres with 3 1/2 inches of rain every 11 days.
This is usually the right amount for alfalfa, and other legume crops. Alfalfa growing on very deep soils should receive twice this amount of water at longer intervals. In that case, sprinklers should operate in one place for 24 hours.
When irrigating orchards, care must be exercised to prevent water-logging of soil, as 3 to 3 1/2 inches of water is usually too much for each setting.
This system is designed for continuous flow day and night—the most economical method from the standpoint of labor and capital investment. Labor is saved by moving small pipe as a morning and evening chore so that a man's time is not required for the entire day. Water applied by sprinklers at night does not require attention after the pipe line is moved. Flood or rill irrigation must be continuously attended. Equipment cost is lower because smaller pipe is used.
