66 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



It was asked if any injury comes from use of cold spring water in sup- 

 plying plants. Prof. Taft said he used such water upon cucumbers and 

 squashes, which are as tender plants as any, but without damage to them 

 on account of the temperature of the water. 



Mr. Williams: After running the water two hours, and covering two 

 acres of strawberries, between the rows, we found that the water had 

 soaked outward only two or three inches; but next morning we found that 

 it had gone down, and returning had wet the entire ground. 



Prof. Taft: That is the natural action of the water. It rises by capil- 

 lary attraction in the soil. I have had the same experience. Water has 

 been known to meet in this way from ditches which were two rods apart. 



Mr. J. N. Stearns of South Haven, who was to supplement the treat- 

 ment of the irrigation question, was presented. 



He said that the past three years have given us seasons of prolonged 

 and severe drouth, nearly as bad as the dry seasons of California;- and, if 

 these are to continue, or occasionally recur, we shall have to depend upon 

 artificial supplies of water. He is thoroughly satisfied that what watering 

 of orchard trees he has done has been profitable. He can in a single day, 

 with two men, give twenty- five to thirty gallons of water per tree to 80 

 to 100 trees. The earth is first pulled away from the tree, hoes being 

 used for this purpose, to the depth of several inches, but not so deeply as 

 to injure the roots. The water is then poured in and allowed to settle out 

 of sight before the earth is replaced. Moisture may be found around the 

 trees for two weeks after such a watering. The removal and replacement 

 of the upper earth prevents crusting and acts as a mulch. This should be 

 done each two weeks, and he should have begun earlier this season. He 

 has 500 bushels of plums this season, which he would not have had 

 but for the water given the trees last year, so beneficial is the irrigation to 

 the trees in ripening their crops and establishing fruit buds for the next 

 season's crop. He has 'had three successive crops of Lombard plums, and 

 this would have been quite out of the question but for the irrigation. 

 Effect of the water is very perceptible in the pear orchard also. He has 

 only watered the bearing trees, and on these the foliage is fresh and green, 

 while on those having little fruit, and no water, the leaves are dropping. 

 He thinks the interest upon cost of windmill and tanks sufficient to be of 

 much service would do the watering upon one thousand trees or more. 

 He places the water four feet away from the body of the tree but it will 

 soak throughout a circle eight to ten feet in diameter. He uses casks and 

 draws water from the river, but thinks a tank and hose would be better. 

 His soil is mostly clay and he keeps up cultivation during the time of 

 watering. 



