Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1964

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Agricultural Engineering

Abstract

The irrigation of the earth has been practiced since the earliest history of man. Historically, civilization has followed the development of irrigation. The antiquity of irrigation is well documented throughout the written history of mankind. The bible talks of irrigation in the book of Genesis where the laws of Hammurabi indicates to the people that they had to depend on irrigation for existence. Irrigation canals supposed to have been built before 2000 B.C. are still delivering water in the valleys of the Nile. The success of early kings in China was measured by their wisdom and progress in water-control activities. Irrigation ideas and practices were brought to the United States by the early Spanish missionaries. No effort was made to develop and agricultural economy based on irrigation until 1847 when Mormons entered the Salt Lake Valley. The importance of irrigation in the world today was well stated by N.D Gulhali of India: “Irrigation in many countries is an old art as old as civilization but for the whole world it is a modern science- the science of survival.” Irrigation can generally be defined as the application of water to the soil for the purpose of supplying the moisture essential for plant growth. Irrigation may be accomplished in four different ways: flooding, furrows, sub-irrigation and sprinkling.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Irrigation -- South Dakota
Irrigation farming

Description

Includes bibliographical references

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

137

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Download

Share

COinS