126 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



of 1912-13. The problem of getting moisture into the soil for the use 

 of the root systems of these trees involved supplying vegetable matter 

 to the soil in every available form: straw, manure, prunings and 

 weeds. Now we are just getting a good enough soil condition to grow 

 an abundant crop of wild oats, burr clover, filaree and other plants, 

 and we have allQwed this vegetation to become quite mature before 

 plowing it under this year. If we can get a satisfactory seed bed soon 

 we will probably plant alfalfa and let it stand two or three years before 

 plowing the orchard again, in order to further open up the soil and 

 subsoil and improve its physical condition. Deep furrows will be 

 plowed out SQ that irrigation water can be supplied. I do not believe 

 this practice would be advisable unless an ample supply of irrigation 

 water was available, but fortunately there is no shortage of water in 

 the Sacramento Valley. 



I have never seen so great a change in the character and mechanical 

 condition of soil, in so short a time, as there has been in this orange 

 grove ; and while it is not like loose, mdlow, sandy loam yet, it absorbs 

 moisture many times more readily than before and is a far more 

 pleasant and tractable soil to irrigate and cultivate than before. That 

 this treatment has been proper is conclusivel}^ shown in the increased 

 vigor and growth of the trees and in the crops they have produced. 



During the season of 1913 it was found to be diiHcult to get moisture 

 to penetrate more than 9 or 12 inches in some heavy land on which there 

 was young seeding of alfalfa. Water was delivered in a head of 5 cubic 

 feet per second and it was ordinarily divided into three or 5 cheeks. 

 The checks are 25, 40 or 50 feet wide and 660 feet long. By dividing 

 the head into 10 or 15 checks and letting it run for a longer time, then 

 turning it otf these checks, irrigating some more and then irrigating 

 a second time before they dried out it was possible to get a penetration 

 of 24 to 48 inches. 



So much in a general way for the object of irrigation, the import- 

 ance of studying the individual case, the need of constant observation 

 of changing conditions, and the application of common "horse sense" 

 and judgment to the problems presented. 



PREPARATION OF THE LAND. 



After a prospective irrigation farmer has selected a location the next 

 step is the preparation of the land. 



Unless the owner of the land, or the man who is to do the leveling, 

 is very familiar with this kind of work, it will pay to get a reliable, 

 experienced engineer to lay out the place. By experience, I mean one 

 who has had experience in the particular locality and under similar 

 conditions to those prevailing on the place to be improved. In this 

 way it is possible to benefit by the mistakes that have been previously 

 made in handling the soil, water, etc., in the district in question. 



Even if the owner is experienced, a map of the place, with the pro- 

 posed present development and all future development, should be made, 

 showing the approximate location of drains, ditches, checks, or borders, 

 boxes, etc. 



During the early days of the development of the Sacramento Valley 

 irrigation project these farm plans were made by company engineers 

 for all settlers who made application for them, and blue prints were 

 furnished. The engineer first discussed with the purchaser his general 



