44 Report of State Board of Horticulture. 



for apple and pear growing by tiling to a depth of not less than 

 five feet. 



Where irrigation is resorted to the conditions of the subsoil in 

 relation to the growth of the tree must be intelligently understood. 

 The mechanical effect on shallow soils by underdrainage with tile 

 is to deepen the soil to the depth the tile is laid. During winter 

 rains the surplus water where land is tiled is drained through the 

 soil and passes off through the tile, iDreventing the fruit tree from 

 injury from excessive moisture during protracted rain storms of 

 winter, keeping it healthy and vigorous during the dormant period, 

 so that when it quickens into growth in the spring it is in the best 

 possible condition to grow and responds to the skill and cultivation 

 of its owner. Again, while the mechanical effect of undertrainage 

 is to deepen the soil and carry off the surplus moisture, paradoxical 

 as it may appear, underdrainage makes these shallow soils moist 

 during the growing period. During the growing period the moisture- 

 laden air passes through the tile and its moisture is condensed and 

 left in the soil for the growing tree. In fact, with thorough, intel- 

 ligent cultivation where these shallow soils are properly under- 

 drained, but little water is necessary for irrigation during the dryest 

 season. 



On any of these shallow soils, where the exposure is right, 

 grapes can be profitably grown without underdrainage, and, with 

 a depth of three or more feet, the peach can be grown with good 

 cultivation. 



There are many acres of deep, rolling lands, such as second 

 bench, red loam, on which in normal years, under good cultivation, 

 the apple and pear can be grown at a profit, and with water for 

 irrigation during the dry seasons these deep bench lands can be 

 made very valuable. In past years I have noted many acres of 

 these shallow, dry soils being planted to the apple and pear, without 

 any consideration of the character of the subsoil or what the effects 

 of underdrainage would be were it tiled. I know in all reason that 

 the results and profits in planting such soils will be a disappoint- 

 ment to the grower; hence I call the attention of the growers to 

 this subject of soils adapted to growing various varieties of fruits. 



As to the variety of climate and soils in the various counties in 

 the Third District and annual precipitation had in each county, 

 I hope by a detailed description of each county to give the pros- 

 pective settler some data that will enable him to intelligently judge 

 soil conditions that will be congenial to the fruit he may desire to 



grow. 



coos COUNTY. 



Coos County is a coast county. To an extent this rich county 



is isolated from the balance of the State for the want of railroad 



communication! with the interior. Coos County's only means at 



present to reach markets for her lumber, coal, dairy and fruit 



