54 Mississippi Valley Horticultural Society. 



the limited home production, seldom get a taste, except in canned fruits. Of 

 these, large quantities are consumed. Although our mountains, valleys, 

 prairies and parks are well adapted to small fruit culture, having all the ele- 

 ments of soil necessary for successful cultivation, yet but little attention is 

 paid to any crop, except potatoes. 



Irrigation being an indispensable factor in the horticultural resources of 

 the county I represent, we can not intelligently give the results of one with- 

 out describing the other. Not only is irrigation the foundation and salvation 

 of all horticultural industries in Colorado, but you, my brethren of the Mis- 

 sissippi valley, sooner or later, must, for your own protection and success in 

 times of drouth, adopt this system The most money I ever made in Colo- 

 rado was when I hired men at 13 per day to drive away grasshoppers. Like- 

 wise, you, when protected by irrigation, will find the years of drouth the 

 most profitable of all in your horticultural history. The money lies more in 

 our ability to surmount difficulties and control emergencies than in the pro- 

 ductions of favorable seasons. In the Centennial State we practice at least 

 two distinct modes of irrigation — that of agriculture, referring to field crops, 

 and of horticulture a "row " irrigation where water follows cultivation. 



The most favorable conditions for the first, is a level surface and abundant 

 flow of water that will flood the ground rapidly and evenly. In horticulture, 

 where the soil is frequently stirred, the manner of applying is directly re- 

 verse to that of tield culture. The smallest stream of water is turned into 

 the rows, which are laid off so as to give but little fall, requiring at least 

 twenty-four hours to run 300 feet, which is as long as the rows should be. 



As a rule we use entirely too much water. One cubic inch of water is 

 abundantly sufficient for all ordinary purposes in our dry country. It is 

 too often the case that water is applied with but little knowledge of the re;d 

 wants of trees and plants. There seems to be a kind of denominational 

 character attached to the business which we should correctly understand. 



The cherry and grape being the Presbyterians in horticulture, require but 

 little water. Strawberries are the Baptists, and glory in rivers of water and 

 rich food. 



Then again we have the Methodist mode of irrigation — enthusiastic ama- 

 tuers, or tender-feet, in the profession. They select good stock and lots of 

 it; lay oH" their rows straight down hill; open wide the flood-gates; irrigate 

 with vengeance, washing away both soil and plants, then backslide and try 

 something else. 



Water is, however, an essential element in the perfect development of fruit. 



It matters not how rich we make the soil, or whether we feed the soil or 

 not, trees and plants must have a certain quantity of water to enable them to 

 develop their growth and mature their fruit. 



Our State laws recognize a prior right in appropriating water from the 

 -streams. Hence, if at any time the supply runs low, tlie last canals con- 

 ■■tructed are the first tosull'er from the deliciency. In view of this fact, many 

 of the irrigating canals built lately in the older settled portions of the State, 



